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PRAYERGEAR.COM / SPIRITUAL RESOURCE SERVICES
NEWSLETTER
May 11, 2000 Issue 44: Misplacing the Keys to the Kingdom, Part 2
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<>< CONTENTS <><
1. Mini-Reflection
2. Cruising Christian Cyberspace!
3. Prayergear.com product and services updates
4. Let us know!
5. Weekly Reflection: "Misplacing the Keys to the
Kingdom", Part 2
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Greetings to all of you and welcome to our new subscribers! Thank
you for passing these newsletters to others whom you believe
would appreciate them. The Holy Spirit working through His
children is how this ministry grows and is blessed. As it has
been said in another context, I am just a beggar showing others
where they may find more food. I am grateful for those who do the
same for me.
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1. ~~ ** Mini-Reflection ** ~~
The account in Acts 12 of the miraculous rescue of Peter from
prison combines some humor with spiritual understanding. To me,
the angelic rescue isn't the most outstanding aspect of this
passage. The response of the church to Peter's arrest and release
teaches us much. They gathered for continual prayer upon Peter's
arrest, as instructed by Scripture. The corporate prayers of many
initiated the angelic rescue. What is amusingly ironic is that
the church kept praying while Peter, now free, was banging on the
gates to be let in. When the congregation received word that
Peter was outside, they didn't believe it, even coming up with a
rationalization that it must be his spirit.
Persistent prayer does not indicate a lack of faith, as some
would contend. We are instructed to pray persistently by many
parables and direct mandates from Jesus. Prayer persistence, not
giving up, is actually an indication of faith. Jesus taught us to
pray that God's will be done, so God must need us to pray for
that, which is part of the subject of the Weekly Reflection.
However, Scripture also teaches us to "Be still, and know
that I am God." Prayer is intimacy with our Lord, not
continual words from our mouths. There are many times when we
need to stop with the bowed heads and closed eyes, look up, be
still, and behold what God has done and is doing for us. And let
the fulfilled prayer inside the gates into our presence.
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2. ~~ ** Cruising Christian Cyberspace! ** ~~
Our web site feature of the week is
Foundations (http://www.nd.edu/~theo/glossary/desc.htm)
In a way this is a variation of a "home page" but
professionally done. Here is how it describes itself: "The
Theology 100 On-Line Glossary Project is a glossary of over 400
terms for beginning study of the Christian and Hebrew Scriptures
and other ancient texts. The Theology 100 On-Line Glossary
Project was prepared for the World Wide Web by 84 students of the
University of Notre Dame, Spring Semester 1995, and continued by
individual students thereafter." While this site is
extensive, each entry is short, concise and informative, citing
source references. It is easy to move around it quickly and go to
precisely what you need to know. A great site to bookmark as a
Bible study resource.
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3. ~~ ** Prayergear.com Product and Service Updates ** ~~
Please check out our addition of excellent Bibles from Tyndale
House Publishers: Bibles for seekers and new believers, one-year
reading Bibles, devotional bibles, and life application Bibles
for adults and teens. Also review our addition of
Wall Charts and Pamphlets all of which are great for both church
and home. Charts and fold-out pamphlets include topics such as
Christianity, Cults and Religions, How we got the Bible, Creation
and Evolution, a genealogy of Jesus, end-times prophecies, the
Ten Commandments and more. You don't need to rely on the
hyperlinks above...Just visit the Bibles and Church Supplies
sections of our online store. (While you are there, also look at
our handcrafted Wiggleys (you'll have to see for yourself what
those are), figurines and wall decor. Great witness tools!)
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4. ~~ ** Let us know! ** ~~
Thank you for your notes of encouragement and inquiries about
products not posted on our web site but available. One subscriber
had this to point out: "Thanks for stirring up thoughts
about the view about God and His ways I held all my life. I now
get confused sometimes, but I know that's actually a good thing
since I'm working through it and learning. The day I no longer
get confused about God's ways is the day I'll think I know it all
and that's not good." Thank you for that, and for letting us
know!
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5. ~~ This week's Weekly Reflection follows below ~~
Please do encourage others to subscribe and we do ask you forward
the newsletters in their entirety. Also let us know how we are
doing and what we might do differently. We all learn from each
other. Until next week, may...
"The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face
shine upon you, and be gracious to you." (Numbers 6:24-25.)
John
John S. Hilkevich, Ph.D.
Spiritual Resource Services: Prayergear.com
~ Education, Services and Products
in the Christian Faith ~
www.prayergear.com
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For a more attractively formatted Weekly Reflection or links to
previous
Reflections, point your browser to
http://www.prayergear.com/weeklyintro.html
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WEEKLY REFLECTIONS
Misplacing the Keys to the Kingdom
Part 2 of 4
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Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletters and have them sent directly
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