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<\/a><\/p>\nDear PTH Friends,<\/p>\n
Hard to believe February is almost upon us! \u201cFebruary\u201d – derived from \u2018februare’ (Latin), meaning to \u201cpurify\u201d. To ancient Rome, it was the month of purification. Perhaps doesn\u2019t sound not \u2018fun\u2019 but necessary.<\/p>\n
Paul said he did not run his spiritual race aimlessly but beat his body (his flesh\/mindsets) to make them a slave to what he believed; what he preached! (1 Cor. 9:26 &27\/paraphrased). Water baptism is a semblance of the old self being washed away and the new man coming forth. However, that \u2018old self\u2019 doesn\u2019t always drowned so easily \u2026 might need a holy \u2018beating\u2019 to keep the old submerged!<\/p>\n
Thus, February might be the month of purification, but don\u2019t forget about the other 11 months. This is one instance where it is okay to \u2018beat your (old) self up.\u201d<\/p>\n
As shared in earlier website posts, Nancy\u2019s first message was about \u201cThe Letter\u201d the Lord dictated to her and what the Lord requires of all of us. The next part of the message is about \u201cBondage\u201d and \u201cFreedom\u201d.<\/p>\n
2018 is \u201cRedemptive Bondage\u201d (#20=redemption; #18=bondage). Bondage is the result SIN – and unconfessed SIN separates us from God. Nancy presented a \u2018very long list\u2019 of some obvious and some not-so-obvious sins that keep us in bondage. And to be honest, it seemed like for every one sin mentioned, there could have been five more to go with it \u2026 in other words – there is a long list of things we might be in bondage to and don\u2019t realized or recognize them:<\/p>\n
unbelief
\nmindsets
\nstubbornness
\nembracing fear
\nanxiety
\nbitterness
\nanger
\napathy
\ncomplaining
\nabusive language
\ncritical
\nblaming
\ncriticizing
\ncoveting
\ndrunkenness
\ndeceitfulness
\nnot sharing faith
\nselfishness
\nunforgiveness
\nrebellion
\nhatred
\nrage
\ngrudges
\nfailure to love wives
\nfailure to respect husbands
\nslander
\npride
\ngreed
\naggregation
\nlying
\nlack of compassion \/ kindness
\nembracing false doctrine
\ndisobedience to parents
\ndivision among believers
\nadultery (in mind or heart)
\nnot helping widows & orphans
\ncheating on taxes (give to Caesar what is his)
\nchronic lateness (others depending on you?)
\nputting doctrine, tradition, culture above God\u2019s Word
\nknow to do the right thing and don\u2019t is sin (Ja. 3:17)<\/p>\n
\u2026. as you can see, the list seems endless \u2026<\/p>\n
But here is the good news: \u201cRepent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord\u201d (Acts 3:19).
\nAnd, if we are willing, the Holy Spirit will continue to show us those areas in us so that everyday can be a day of PURIFICATION by the blood of Jesus (not just \u2018February\u2019. Personally, I\u2019m not sure if it is better to hope for a short list or a long list!<\/p>\n
Freedom in Christ! If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed (Jo.8:36)\u2026 and \u201cWhere the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom\u201d (2 Cor. 3:17).<\/p>\n
On another note, Nancy and I will be in the Georgia \/ South Carolina area through February and first week of March. Thank you for your continued prayer support for health, strength (physical & spiritual), and protection!<\/p>\n