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Dear God, I pray that in all I do may I be as giving as you are to us. I desire to follow your example, Lord, because it is the best example to follow. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.Dear God, I pray that in all I do may I be as giving as you are to us. I desire to follow your example, Lord, because it is the best example to follow. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Parable of the Sheep and Goats
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4 Things We Learn from Jesus’ Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
| Borrowed Light
2022
26 Aug
I must confess that my first exposure to the concept of sheep and goats and their eternal destiny comes from an alternative rock band, Cake, instead of the Bible. Their song, Sheep Go to Heaven, is a somewhat satirical way of saying that those who mindlessly follow the crowd go to heaven, while those who are able to think for themselves end up going to hell.
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This concept doesn’t come from a 90’s band but rather from Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25:31-46. And we find there that it’s meaning isn’t about mindlessly following the crowd, but rather dedication to Jesus and the life that it engenders.
What Is the Context of This Parable?
Matthew 23 ends with Jesus’ lamenting over Jerusalem as he enters the city. Matthew 26 begins the events of the passion. Matthew 24-25 is the fifth discourse in the gospel of Matthew. It is here that Jesus speaks of the coming kingdom.
Matthew 25 in particular gives three illustrations of the separation between one group and another. In Matthew 25:1-13 we see five foolish virgins and five wise virgins. They are separated by a certain action. Likewise, in Matthew 25:14-30 we read of good and faithful servants versus the wicked servant who buried his talent. Matthew 25:31-46 follows the same pattern as the previous illustrations. Here the sheep and goats are separated by their actions, or lack thereof.
The entire discourse of Matthew 24-25 seems to be given to only his disciples. But there is probably a much broader term than “the twelve.” This would likely include some who will turn away from following Christ. The point to all of the disciples is that following Jesus leads to specific actions. And these specific actions reveal which category you belong to.
What Happens in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats?
The process of separating sheep from goats would have been familiar to Jesus’ audience. Here Jesus uses this common practice to make a point about all of humanity being divided. In the parable of the ten virgins, the separation comes based upon whether or not they are properly waiting for the bridegroom. In the parable of the talents, the separation comes from whether or not the servants were good stewards. Here the separation comes from whether or not they have served “the least of these.”
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Particularly, the action is feeding when hungry, giving a drink when thirsty, inviting in the stranger, clothing the naked, visiting those who are sick and in prison. Those who failed to do these actions are told to depart from Jesus into the fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
But there is an interesting detail in this parable that we can easily miss. Both the sheep and the goats seemed surprised by their fate. The sheep didn’t realize it was “Jesus” that they were providing for. Likewise, the goats did not know it was “Jesus” they were rejecting. This, I believe, is the key to properly understanding this passage. They are not sheep because they do these good deeds or goats because they fail to do these good deeds, but rather their doing of the good, or failing to do the good, is precisely because of their character. Wise virgins wait. Good servants serve. Sheep serve. That’s the point of Jesus’ teaching here.
4 Things We Learn from This Parable
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1. The “Least of These” Matter
There is some debate about who the “least of these” actually are. Is this referring to how one treats all believers or vulnerable missionaries? Or is this referring to how one responds to the poor and needy in general? Some have even interpreted this as having a Jewish and Gentile distinction.
Personally, I think it best not to read too much into this text. Some try to find details about the final judgment based on Jesus’ use of ethnos in verse 32. Others point to verse 40 when Jesus says “these my brothers” and believe that to be synonymous with “the least of these” in verse 45. Certainly, the way believers are treated is a marker of fidelity to Christ. This is much of the argument of 1 John. And it is what Jesus also said in John 13:35.
But I also believe that Jesus very much identifies with the broken and hurting. He identifies with the vulnerable. We do great injustice to the text, in my opinion, when we turn “the poor” into the “spiritually poor” and neglect much of what is meant by those phrases in the Old Testament. I think the major point here is that the heart of those who are sheep is to respond to the vulnerable. And you are especially motivated when the vulnerable one is a brother or sister in Christ.
2. There Is a Separation
Regardless of how you parse out the details in this passage, there is one thing that is certain — there is a separation between sheep and goats. And that separation has eternal consequences. That is the point that Jesus is making with each of these illustrations. How we respond to Jesus matters for eternity.
In this sense, that Cake song is correct. Sheep go to heaven and goats go to hell. But it doesn’t have anything to do with mindlessly following the crowd. It has to do with having a heart changed (“my sheep hear my voice”) and thus responding to the path of Jesus. To not follow the way of Jesus will have eternal consequences.
3. It’s Not about Sheep and Goats
This will come as quite the let down to preachers, like myself, who have made a big deal about the difference between sheep and goats. Yes, there are differences in the way that sheep act and how goats act. Yes, there is an independent spirit in goats. And it is true that believers are often likened to sheep. Jesus loves the shepherd metaphor.
But this text isn’t about the difference between sheep and goats. They are stock images. They aren’t blessed because they act like sheep whereas others act like goats. The point is that one group inherits the kingdom, and the other group does not inherit the kingdom. That is the point of each of these illustrations. So, to make this about the different characteristics of these animals imposes a foreign meaning onto the text.
4. What We Do Matters
Many commentaries spend an inordinate amount of time explaining how these verses square with the doctrine of justification by faith. I understand that impulse. It appears on first glance that this text is teaching that sheep are justified because they took care of the vulnerable, whereas the goats are cast into hell because they lacked the compassionate heart of Jesus in caring for the vulnerable. And so, it appears on the surface that this is teaching justification by works.
The point, though, of all these illustrations is that there is a marked difference between those who are in Christ and those who are not. This is part of why Jesus is weeping over Jerusalem in Matthew 23. They have rejected him. They have rejected his path. And this rejection is clear by the way they respond to the vulnerable. It is not their actions which cause them to be rejected as much as their actions are a demonstration of their prior rejection of Jesus.
What we do matters. It matters because what we do is a reflection of what we really believe. We cannot say that we follow Jesus and then walk a path different than what he would walk. And when we do follow Jesus, we find ourselves rather surprised that the things we do by instinct now (like caring for the vulnerable) is actually a reflection of our love for Jesus.
Charles Spurgeon summarizes well:
“When they stand before the judgment-seat, the bare idea of there being any excellence in what they have done will be new to the saints, for they have formed a very lowly estimate of their own performances, and what they have done seems to them too faulty to be commended. The saints fed the hungry and clothed the naked because it gave them much pleasure to do so. They did it because they could not help doing it, their new nature impelled them to it. They did it because it was their delight to do good, and was as much their element as water for a fish or the air for a bird. They did good for Christ’s sake, because it was the sweetest thing in the world to do anything for Jesus.
Source
C. H. Spurgeon, “The Final Separation,” in The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Sermons, vol. 21 (London: Passmore & Alabaster, 1875), 287–288.
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Mike Leake is husband to Nikki and father to Isaiah and Hannah. He is also the lead pastor at Calvary of Neosho, MO. Mike is the author of Torn to Heal and his writing home is http://mikeleake.net
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Psalms 19NIV
Psalms 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is deprived of its warmth.
7 The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the LORD are firm, and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
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Chapter 19
The glory of God’s works. (1-6) His holiness and grace as shown in his word. (7-10) Prayer for the benefit of them. (11-14)
Verses 1-6 The heavens so declare the glory of God, and proclaim his wisdom, power, and goodness, that all ungodly men are left without excuse. They speak themselves to be works of God’s hands; for they must have a Creator who is eternal, infinitely wise, powerful, and good. The counter-changing of day and night is a great proof of the power of God, and calls us to observe, that, as in the kingdom of nature, so in that of providence, he forms the light, and creates the darkness, ( Isaiah 45:7 ) , and sets the one against the other. The sun in the firmament is an emblem of the Sun of righteousness, the Bridegroom of the church, and the Light of the world, diffusing Divine light and salvation by his gospel to the nations of the earth. He delights to bless his church, which he has espoused to himself; and his course will be unwearied as that of the sun, till the whole earth is filled with his light and salvation. Let us pray for the time when he shall enlighten, cheer, and make fruitful every nation on earth, with the blessed salvation. They have no speech or language, so some read it, and yet their voice is heard. All people may hear these preachers speak in their own tongue the wonderful works of God. Let us give God the glory of all the comfort and benefit we have by the lights of heaven, still looking above and beyond them to the Sun of righteousness.
Verses 7-10 The Holy Scripture is of much greater benefit to us than day or night, than the air we breathe, or the light of the sun. To recover man out of his fallen state, there is need of the word of God. The word translated “law,” may be rendered doctrine, and be understood as meaning all that teaches us true religion. The whole is perfect; its tendency is to convert or turn the soul from sin and the world, to God and holiness. It shows our sinfulness and misery in departing from God, and the necessity of our return to him. This testimony is sure, to be fully depended on: the ignorant and unlearned believing what God saith, become wise unto salvation. It is a sure direction in the way of duty. It is a sure fountain of living comforts, and a sure foundation of lasting hopes. The statues of the Lord are right, just as they should be; and, because they are right, they rejoice the heart. The commandments of the Lord are pure, holy, just, and good. By them we discover our need of a Saviour; and then learn how to adorn his gospel. They are the means which the Holy Spirit uses in enlightening the eyes; they bring us to a sight and sense of our sin and misery, and direct us in the way of duty. The fear of the Lord, that is, true religion and godliness, is clean, it will cleanse our way; and it endureth for ever. The ceremonial law is long since done away, but the law concerning the fear of God is ever the same. The judgments of the Lord, his precepts, are true; they are righteous, and they are so altogether; there is no unrighteousness in any of them. Gold is only for the body, and the concerns of time; but grace is for the soul, and the concerns of eternity. The word of God, received by faith, is more precious than gold; it is sweet to the soul, sweeter than honey. The pleasure of sense soon surfeit, yet never satisfy; but those of religion are substantial and satisfying; there is no danger of excess.
Verses 11-14 God’s word warns the wicked not to go on in his wicked way, and warns the righteous not to turn from his good way. There is a reward, not only after keeping, but in keeping God’s commandments. Religion makes our comforts sweet, and our crosses easy, life truly valuable, and death itself truly desirable. David not only desired to be pardoned and cleansed from the sins he had discovered and confessed, but from those he had forgotten or overlooked. All discoveries of sin made to us by the law, should drive us to the throne of grace, there to pray. His dependence was the same with that of every Christian who says, Surely in the Lord Jesus have I righteousness and strength. No prayer can be acceptable before God which is not offered in the strength of our Redeemer or Divine Kinsman, through Him who took our nature upon him, that he might redeem us unto God, and restore the long-lost inheritance. May our hearts be much affected with the excellence of the word of God; and much affected with the evil of sin, and the danger we are in of it, and the danger we are in by it.
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Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)
Cross References 34
Footnotes 2
Chapter Summary
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What Does Matthew 12:36-37 Meant in Real Life at This Present Time?
What Does Matthew 12:36-37 Really Meant in Real Life at This Present Time? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins August 27, 2022
Matthew 12:36-37 says: But I say to you that for every idle word man may speak, they will give account on it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Let’s examine this for a moment or two, I did not know that God is recording our steps as well as our actions.
For Instance, the way we speak to each other on a daily basis is being recorded. It goes inside of our Book of Life. The Book of Life is our history from birth to death. It is a collection of behaviors, actions, reactions, and our tears will be collected to form the Book of Life.
Next, I want to inform all of you that everything that we do in our lives is being written down and recorded. I did not know until I started reading the Holy Bible that God is going to judge us according what we have done for Him. Our deeds and personal works are going to be judged. God wants all of us to help each other.
Further, I want to inform all of you that things are going to change very quickly. This is the reason why everyone is saying stay awake!! If you are caught sleeping at a very dangerous time as this, you have to stay sober, vigilant, observant, curious, and understand your own environment. According to Matthew 12:36-37, it is saying that the spoken word is going to be questioned. This means that what we are saying out of our mouth is going to either justify or condemn a person.
Moreover, everything is changing very fast. I have noticed that each year since the millennium year 2000. Each year is traveling very fast. This is because God is going to return for His People!! The things that we eat every single day is being written down by God.
God would like to know whether or not we are healthy to serve inside of His Kingdom. Do you know that the music that we listen to is being recorded by God? He wants to know whether or not we are double minded. God wants to know and understand us because He is determining whether we are of the world, or we are serving Him. God will even test our works to see if it will survive.
Finally, I want to inform all of you that we all have to get prepared to meet God. At least for me, I would like to get myself in shape to meet him. To be honest, God sees right through people. I would like to help other people to get themselves together just to meet God. I will admit that I need to get prepared mentally, physically, emotionally, and intellectually prepared to meet God.
I also have to spiritually prepared as well. I really have to pray every single day of the week. I have to pray frequently and without being afraid. Praying and reading the Bible are two ways that God can listen to me. I know that I have been having a lot of ups and downs when it comes to my behavior. I have been listening to auditory hallucinations and female voices from the women who scammed me out of money.
In Conclusion, I am doing my very best to change my behavior. I have even changed the music that I listen to. I even changed the environment that I am going to each day by shopping at BP Gas Station for certain things. God has been listening to me and He has been upset because I have been listening to Mary J. Blige, and other talented musicians who are good. When you look at my life and see what I see on a daily basis, you would see a person who is very depressed and sad at the same time. There are times when I have been thinking about solving things quickly, but I cannot do that because I will not go to heaven if I commit suicide.
In Summary, I want to say that I am content with myself right now. I would like to admit that I need a job, so that I can pay my student loans very quickly. My words that I am typing right now can justify me or condemn me because I have not been paying the right amount of money for tithes each month. I would like to talk to my pastor at church to find out what is really best for me.
Right now, I am walking around inside of a circle for the past 56 years. I am trying to really find myself. I know that my life has not been the same. I want to say that God is going to censor me for the way that I have been conducting myself during the past 30 years. I have been clean and sober for 32 years. I understand that it has not been easy for me academically in College as well as High School.
I want to thank all of my readers, who read my information. I want to thank all of the people who pray for me on a daily basis. I want to admit the truth to everyone. I want to inform all of you that I had a learning disability, while I was a student at the University of Toledo for five years. I tend to fail test because I do not study well in advance. This is all my fault.
I want to inform all of you that I have written three books. I do not have any business acting like a juvenile in my behavior. I have been running to mental health institutions for help for the past 25 years. I want to let everyone know that I am losing my memory. I have lost my short-term memory all together. Yes, I have a learning disability right now. I graduated from high school at the age of 20. I attended Job Corps in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Wednesday June 22, 1983. I stayed in Job Corps for 4 months. I came back home to Dayton, Ohio and graduated from high school.
I graduated from the University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio with a 2.41 GPA. I only earned all Cs throughout school. I had to challenge myself in College by studying much harder than my peers. My peers were younger and smarter than me. I am an average student. I want to say that my family members are a whole smarter than me. My niece and nephews are smarter than me.
My niece earned her Masters Degree in Social Work two years ago. She is getting paid $85,000 dollars per year right now. I am proud of all of my niece and nephews. I consider them as my children because I was not able to become a father in real life. I sustained an injury to my groin on October 21, 1979 by playing football. I got speared tackled to the ground while I caught the football. This is the reason why I cannot become a father.
Zakariah
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Zechariah 2NIV
Zechariah 2
A Man With a Measuring Line
1 Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2 I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”
3 While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him
4 and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it.
5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will be its glory within.’
6 “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the LORD, “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the LORD.
7 “Come, Zion! Escape, you who live in Daughter Babylon!”
8 For this is what the LORD Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye—
9 I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me.
10 “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD.
11 “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me to you.
12 The LORD will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.
13 Be still before the LORD, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”
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Chapter 2
The prosperity of Jerusalem. (1-5) The Jews called to return to their own land. (6-9) A promise of God’s presence. (10-13)
Verses 1-5 The Son of David, even the Man Christ Jesus, whom the prophet sees with a measuring line in his hand, is the Master-Builder of his church. God notices the extent of his church, and will take care that whatever number of guests are brought to the wedding-supper, there shall be room. This vision means well to Jerusalem. The walls of a city, as they defend it, so they straiten its inhabitants; but Jerusalem shall be extended as freely as if it had no walls at all, yet shall be as safe as if it had the strongest walls. In the church of God there yet is room for other multitudes, more than man can number. None shall be refused who trust in Christ; and He never shuts out from heaven one true member of the church on earth. God will be a Wall of fire round them, which can neither be broken through nor undermined, nor can it be assailed without danger to those who attack. This vision was to have its full accomplishment in the gospel church, which is extended by admitting the Gentiles into it; and which has the Son of God for its Prince and Protector; especially in the glorious times yet to come.
Verses 6-9 If God will build Jerusalem for the people and their comfort, they must inhabit it for him and his glory. The promises and privileges with which God’s people are blessed, should engage us to join them, whatever it costs us. When Zion is enlarged to make room for all God’s Israel, it is the greatest madness for any of them to stay in Babylon. The captivity of a sinful state is by no means to be continued in, though a man may be easy in worldly matters. Escape for thy life, look not behind thee. Christ has proclaimed that deliverance to the captives, which he has himself wrought out, and it concerns every one to resolve that sin shall not have dominion over him. Those who would be found among God’s children, must save themselves from this world, see ( Acts 2:40 ) . What Christ will do for his church, shall be an evident proof of God’s care and affection. He that touches you, touches the apple of his eye. This is a strong expression of God’s love to his church. He takes what is done against her as done against the tenderest part of the eye, to which the least touch is a great offence. Christ is sent to be the Protector of his church.
Verses 10-13 Here is a prediction of the coming of Christ in human nature. Many nations in that day would renounce idolatry, and God will own those for his people who join him with purpose of heart. Glorious times are foretold as a prophecy of our Lord’s coming and kingdom. God is about to do something unexpected, and very surprising, and to plead his people’s cause, which had long seemed neglected. Silently submit to his holy will, and patiently wait the event; assured that God will complete all his work. He will ere long come to judgment, to complete the salvation of his people, and to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their sins.
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Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)
Cross References 29
Footnotes 1
Chapter Summary
INTRODUCTION TO ZECHARIAH 2
This chapter contains a prophecy of the church under the Gospel dispensation; of the largeness and numbers of it; and of its protection and glory, through the presence of God in it. In this vision a man is seen with a measuring line in his hand, to measure Jerusalem with, Zec 2:1,2 upon which an angel bids the angel that talked with the prophet to declare to him the largeness, populousness, and safety of Jerusalem, Zec 2:3-5 then follows an exhortation to the people of God to come out of Babylon, Zec 2:6,7 and then a promise of the calling of the Gentiles, and of God’s gracious inhabitation in his church, which would be matter of joy to Zion; and of his inheriting Judah, and choosing Jerusalem Zec 2:8-12 and the chapter is concluded with an address to all mankind, to be silent before the Lord, since he was raised up out of his habitation, Zec 2:13.
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Taken from John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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What Does Reading The Holy Bible Means To Me? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins
What Does Reading the Holy Bible Means to Me? By Anthony Joseph Hopkins August 26, 2022
What does Reading the Holy Bible Means to me? It means that God is talking directly to me. God’s Words absorbs inside of my brain like a sponge. It gives me the knowledge and the special action words that I need to listen to each day.
Next, God’s Word gives me the confidence to do what is necessary for me to survive on earth. Every single time I read His Word, it helps me to grow as a human being. I want you to know that I really love reading God’s Word. His Word helps me to mature as an adult male; living on planet earth.
Further, I want to inform all of you that I am willing to share God’s Word to everyone who is willing to hear it. I want to inform all of you that 2nd Timothy 3:16-17 says All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Moreover, I want to say that if I need someone to talk to each day, I can always read God’s Word and it will calm me completely down if I am under a lot of stress. However, I know that God hears my prayers each and every single day of the week. I want to say that I am not a perfect person. I am a person who makes a lot of mistakes. I am a person who apologizes to God and other people if I have done something to offend them.
In Addition, I want to inform all of you that my life has been filled with ups and downs during the past 56 years. I know that I have disappointed my parents numerous of times by my actions. My emotions during the past 56 years have been filled with angry feelings. I cried every single time my parents argued in front of me and my siblings.
Furthermore, my parents were alcoholics. There were times when they did not know how to control their liquor. God talks to me all of the time. I want to inform all of you that God listens to all of my cries. I remember the very day that I had quit drinking alcohol and smoking marijuana. On Wednesday May 2, 1990, I have decided to give up the high cost to low living. This means I stopped drinking alcohol and stopped smoking marijuana on that special day. I want to inform all of you that this day is very special to me because two days later, I had a hernia operation on May 4, 1990.
Also, I want to inform all of you that was with me even throughout my College Career. From Monday April 1, 1991 through Saturday June 14, 1996. I graduated from college twice. I earned my Associates Degree on Saturday June 12, 1993 from the University of Toledo Community and Technical College. I had a lot of fun during that special day. My Supervisor gave me a job two days later. After I completed my internship, I earned an A+ Grade for the work that I had done at the Jerusalem Outreach Center in Toledo, Ohio.
Finally, God was with me again as soon as I graduated with my Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies on Saturday June 17, 1995. God was with me because my behavior was not the best because I was acting like a crying baby at times. He heard all of my cries and concerns. I thought I was not going to make it through College. He did all of the work. The only thing I did was show up for class each day. I will admit that my behavior during class was not the best. This is the reason why God stepped in and help me to resolve all of my problems.
Prayer#4
Dear God, I would like to take this moment to reflect on your mightiness and on how glorious you are. There is no one like you. No one can ever love the way you have. No one could have created the universe the way you did. Father, I simply pray that in all I do, may all glory always be given to you. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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