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4/18/99
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IF
THE RAPTURE WERE TODAY
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WOULD
YOU GO, OR WOULD YOU STAY,
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WOULD
YOU SCREAM OR WOULD YOU PRAY,
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IF
THE RAPTURE WERE TODAY?
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IF
CHRIST CAME TO EARTH TONIGHT,
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WOULD
YOU BE READY OR FILLED WITH FRIGHT,
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WOULD
YOU REJOICE AT HIS SIGHT,
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IF
JESUS CAME TO EARTH TONIGHT?
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IF
GOD ROLLED THE EARTH AWAY,
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WOULD
YOU SIGH -- OR WOULD YOU PINE AWAY,
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FOR
THE THINGS HE TOOK AWAY,
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IF
GOD CHOSE TO END THIS WORLD TODAY?
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THE
THINGS WE HOLD SO CLOSE AND DEAR,
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THE
THINGS WE HOPE, THE THINGS WE FEAR,
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THEY
SEEM SO MIGHTY AND IMPORTANT HERE;
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BUT
SHOULD THEY BE SO VERY DEAR?
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IF
THE FATHER CALLED YOUR NAME,
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AND
SAID OUT LOUD, "LET GO YOUR SHAME!",
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WOULD
YOU WISH CHRIST NEVER CAME,
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TO
OFFER YOU A BRAND NEW NAME?
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I
HOPE THAT YOU WILL THINK THESE OUT,
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AND
GIVE THE LORD A PRAISE FILLED SHOUT,
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AND
DEDICATE YOUR LIFE RIGHT OUT,
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SO
GOD CAN COME TAKE YOU OUT!!
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©
Anthony J. Massotti Th.M., Th.M. 4/18/1999
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4/25/99
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Matthew 8:8-10 The centurion
answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof:
but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under
authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth;
and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth
it. When Jesus heard it, he marveled.... (KJV)
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I have to admit, I often feel the
same way that Jesus felt in this circumstance! Whenever I hear somebody express
a clear cut view of faith it is almost a total shock to me. I want to jump up
and shout, "YES" or "THAT’S RIGHT" or some other amen-like
explicative. Faith seems to be so hard to find these days! |
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There is more to be gleaned from
the reading of these verses than just the fact that faith is rare. These verses
also show that faith is immensely practical and pragmatic. A person of ‘faith’
is not just making a religious statement of opinion. He is looking for something
very specific and expecting to receive it. He is making a plea predicated on the
reality of something very practical and real. The Centurion's words demonstrate
the faith way. He said to Jesus, in effect, "You are the one who has the
ability to get the job done! And all you have to do is agree with my request!
SPEAK THE WORD ONLY!" |
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He is saying: I don’t need
theatrics, I don’t need charisma, I don’t need to be dazzled, and I don’t
need to see you on the Mount of Transfiguration in order to know that you have
the power! He who has the AUTHORITY TO SPEAK already has the POWER TO PERFORM! |
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Three words; COME, GO, DO! Kind
of sounds like, "Let there be light. And there was light."; don’t
you think? Jesus has all authority in Heaven and in Earth; go ye therefore and
ASK IN FAITH BELIEVING. Go ahead! Make me marvel! Make all your friends marvel!
God’s hand is not short; it is your hands that are in your pockets. Why not
raise them in worshipful faith today. |
© Anthony J. Massotti Th.M., Th.M.
4/25/1999
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