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Today's articles are listed, below. When replying, highlight the text that is pertinent to your response, then hit reply. Title your message to reflect the content.

1) Can You Hear Me Now?

2) Internalizing the Sermon on the Mount?

3) The Dreaded "C" Word


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1) Can You Hear Me Now?

Christians don’t have a religion; they have a relationship. Have you heard that quip? What exactly does it mean?

Relationship can be defined in the following ways:

a. The state of being related or interrelated

God came to earth in the form of a man to communicate with us, to bind us together, to understand our weaknesses, to participate in our suffering, and to be tempted to sin, but not give in to it. 

I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15

We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:15 

b. Connecting or binding participants in a kinship

To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God--children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. John 1:12-13

c. A state of passionate attachment

I have loved you with an everlasting love. . . Jeremiah 31:3 

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1 

Jesus fulfills the textbook definition for establishing a relationship. We can love him, because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). But do God’s children have any responsibility in maintaining this relationship? The answer is. . .

To read today's devotional, visit Bible Talks & Devotionals for Older Teens & Adults at:
http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/lessons-Bible-teen-adult-study.html

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2) Internalizing the Sermon on the Mount?

In the Sermon on the Mount from Mathew 5 - 7, Jesus gives us the new law and interpretation to the old law. From that I would like to pin point the radicalization of those laws and how to internalize them for current situations (i.e. in this century). I would like to teach it for the brothers and sisters, 20 - 25 years old. I am grateful to you for your immediate reply. 

Thanking you in anticipation.
With love and Prayers
Sr. Lity Raj

--from SSTN: Jesus' sermon is more fully understood in light of what he had to say at the beginning of it, more commonly referred to as the Beatitudes. They teach us how to become the salt of the earth and lights on a hill. They also tell us what rewards are in store for those who abide by them. The Beatitudes help us realize God’s purpose and plan for our lives; unless you understand them, it is impossible to apply the rest of the sermon to your life. 

I recommend that you get the book, the BE-Attitudes (Eight Studies For Adult Individuals and Groups--with discussion questions), and then study it with your group. You can read more at: 
http://www.sundayschoolnetwork.com/curriculum_beatitudes_intro.htm

3)  The Dreaded "C" Word

It is astonishing how so many friends and family members have been diagnosed with CANCER! Everyone I know, also knows someone with cancer.  I want so much to be able to encourage and help when I hear yet another person has been diagnosed. The dreaded "C" word got me to thinking; the first syllable, "CAN."

Cancer CAN...
...jump start your prayer life like never before
...draw you closer to God
...show you who your closest friends are
...bring new friends into your life
...strengthen marital bonds
...provide a way to heal broken relationships in families
...make one hungry for the Word of God
...prove you are stronger than you ever thought you could be
...bring people into your life that you can share HOPE in Jesus Christ
...can open a ministry for you to help others going through similar trials
...make you really appreciate the gift of life
...bring you and others to receive Christ as Savior 
...bring PEACE - when you really KNOW Christ as Savior
...emphasize the reality of life after death -- (home & healed & with our Savior)
...make your life a testimony for Jesus to family, friends, and medical staff

And there are some things that Cancer CAN'T DO too.

Cancer CAN'T....
...stop God's Love
...stop your prayers
...keep God from hearing your prayers and the prayers of others
...stop the prayers of others for you
...stop your love for others
...stop others from loving you
...can't kill a real friendship
...stop you from praying for others
...stop the peace you feel in the midst of the trial
...keep you from growing closer to the LORD
...keep you from learning deeper spiritual Truths
...steal your opportunity to be a witness for JESUS through your trial
...stop you from someday being fully healed FOREVER!
...stop you from living eternally - no more tears, pain, or death in heaven!

I'm sure you can add some CANs and CAN'Ts to the list. Why not use it to encourage others (and ourselves) when the "C" word repeatedly comes across our pathway.

GOD BLESS,
Emmalea 

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