ÿWPC2 òÇ»4›6Ú¾›ªñíöUà~l¤C-ŽE>^É%AQÖ_Aªyòéãú¬Æ¸óĵÂHã6mZû1îås®ßàÓ ÇJÞ7L%Ä5«g_ß|U¤¼Üôe¦Xј‡˜`9¤ ó~tÅýÛî[ʲKÝ,’ž§¡¸‘”š\^œ´+»dF‚J;J-2Û¢w.}¦BcáÑÝG„jæDÁ†ÈhIf´¤»˜˜6»P÷k^GÀžÅž=<]¿yòe>6¯›“SnÑœÿ~žÓP¤xc¢Ùš¥4ÚÅBâßùY#8<"ÈlÓ`Oñø ’ƒµn 04UX8UL2ÜU B LP 0Xœ 1‡ô 7{ LŠ 2Ö L 2T 2† #ɸ UN %ÏNÕ 1u× 72L^ ~wŠ4Ž¢± m³ÊU@ÒàZbl^††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††††† 0Nä( ;$¡¡Ô US ÔÎ"÷ÔþZ‹@TimesNewRomanPS-BoldItalicMTÎ"÷Z‹4TimesNewRomanPS-BoldMTmailto:TLCOOMER@juno.comÎ"÷Z‹*TimesNewRomanPSMThttp://www.fortheloveofthefamily.com/@±\0Custom1Custom1Ô2ÔÔ3  Ô8{x?OU[agmsyCustom2Custom21.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.http://www.fortheloveofthefamily.com/mailto:tlcoomer@juno.comhttp://www.fortheloveofthefamily.com/mailto:tlcoomer@juno.commailto:tlcoomer@juno.com˜Canon MG6200 series Printerì . .ì 0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)i) jCôÈ6PCntFold3|x ÿU‹ÿÿÿÿ (ÖÃ9 Z‹(Times New Roman 8DocumentManagement::ModifiedBooleanTRUEPage ù of &ùhttp://www.earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/(ÍO$——ÔÿÔòòóóÔÿÔÝ ƒ;!ÝÔUSUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÒ„°ÒÒ„°ÒÔÿÔÔ€L{JXXÔÔ€LŠJJL{Ôò òòòóóÔ‡L{JJLŠÔÔ‡XzXJL{ÔÔÿÔÑ€ÑÑ8€zXXdìdÈ8ÑÔ_ÔÔ#†X” XXXz±#ÔÔ‡XzXXX” ÔÔÿïÔÔÿÔÔ#†X” XXXzy#ÔÔ‡XzXXX” ÔThe€following€article€is€posted€in€its€entirety€with€the€express€written€consent€of€Pastor€Terry€L.Ð ° ÐCoomer€to€Ô4‚ Ý :ÔÝ‚mÍOÝÔÿÔÔÿÿÔòòÝ  ÝÔ5  Ôhttp://www.earnestlycontendingforthefaith.com/Ô6„ÔÝ‚mÍO˜ƒÝóóÔÿÔÔÔÝ  ÝÔ7Ý XÖÔ€.Ô#†X” XXXzã#ÔÔ‡XzXXX” ÔÔ#†L{JXXzÐ#ÔÔ‡XzXJL{ÔÐ œì Ðó óÔ#†X” XXXzœ#ÔÔÿ¬ÔÔÿÔÔ‡XzXXX” ÔÔ#†L{JXXzÞ#ÔÔ‡XzXJL{Ôò òÔ#†X” XXXz`#ÔÔ#†LŠJXX” ¢#ÔÔÿLÔòòÔ_ÔÌÌÓ  ÓFor€the€Love€of€the€Family€MinistriesÐ Ø ( ÐÔ€X” XJLŠÔÔ€XzXXX” ÔóóMissionaries€to€Americaððs€Forgotten€Mission€Field,€the€Family€How€to€Have€A€Real€RelationshipÐ € Ð ÐWith€GodÐ l ¼ ÐDr.€Terry€L.€Coomer,€PastorÐ X ¨ ÐMinistry€of€Elwood€Bible€Baptist€ChurchÐ D”  ÐP.O.€Box535Ð 0€  Ð504€North€12òòthóó€Street€Elwood,€Indiana€46036Ð l  Ð765-552-1973Ð X  ÐÔ4‚Ý RÔÔ5  ÔòòÔ€ô= òXXzÔÔ€ô= ò òô=ÔTLCOOMER@juno.com€Ô6?ÔÔ7Ý †SÔÔ4‚Ý †ÔÔ5  ÔÔ€XzX òô=ÔÔ€XzXXXzÔÐ ôD  Ðwww.fortheloveofthefamily.comÔ6ÑÔÔ7Ý CåÔóóÐ ¶  ÐÓ3ÓÌÔÿÔó óÓ  ÓThese€messages€may€be€copied€in€their€entirety€to€help€Christians€in€the€rearing€of€their€children€for€God,Ð ŽÞ Ðstrengthening€their€family,€and€their€marriage.€They€are€not€to€be€changed€in€any€manner€or€to€be€sold.€ThisÐ zÊ Ðheader€must€be€on€any€copy.€If€you€have€any€questions,€please€feel€free€to€contact€the€author.Ð f¶ ÐÌI€want€the€following€article€to€be€an€encouragement€to€all€who€read€it.€It€might€be€one€of€the€most€importantÐ >Ž Ðarticles€that€has€come€out€of€our€ministry€here€at€For€the€Love€of€the€Family.€It€will€contain€some€lifeÐ *z Ðchanging€material€and€I€hope€it€will€change€the€lives€of€many€who€have€the€opportunity€to€read€it€and€passÐ f Ðit€on€to€others.€Our€desire€is€to€help€people€who€truly€need€and€want€help€in€their€lives€and€in€their€homes.Ð R ÐMy€wife,€Kim,€and€I€do€For€the€Love€of€the€Family€meetings€at€different€churches€through€out€the€year.€WeÐ î> Ðalso€have€a€book€table€where€we€provide€a€wealth€of€information€for€those€needing€help€in€their€lives€withÐ Ú* Ðtheir€marriage,€children€or€other€matters€of€the€Christian€life.€We€hear€from€hundreds€of€people€around€theÐ Æ Ðworld€on€a€regular€basis€who€need€help€in€these€areas.€Our€church,€Elwood€Bible€Baptist€Church,€of€whichÐ ² ÐI€am€the€pastor,€has€a€counseling€center€that€is€open€to€people€needing€help.€In€our€meetings€for€For€the€LoveÐ žî Ðof€the€Family,€it€never€fails€that€after€a€service;€a€parent€of€a€wayward€child€comes€up€and€shares€with€KimÐ Š Ú Ðor€I€the€painful€demise€of€their€child.€It€is€always€the€same€story€only€a€different€person.€The€pain€and€theÐ v!Æ Ðagony€of€these€parents€breaks€my€heart.€What€is€the€answer€here,€why€so€many€young€people€are€growingÐ b"² Ðup€in€an€independent€Baptist€church€and€then€going€out€of€their€parentððs€home€and€living€a€disastrous€life?Ð N#ž ÐI€hear€this€story€hundreds€of€times€a€year.€Many€times€they€weep€and€ask€Kim€and€me€the€answer.Ð :$Š  ÐÌMany€times€I€have€heard€a€statement€like€this,€ð ðPastor,€I€just€do€not€know€what€happened.€Our€son€orÐ &b!" Ðdaughter€grew€up€in€this€church.€They€attended€the€Christian€school€or€they€were€home€schooled.€We€hadÐ þ&N"# Ðfamily€devotions€and€we€made€sure€they€read€their€Bible.€In€fact€they€memorized€many€Bible€verses.€I€justÐ ê':#$ Ðdo€not€understand,€can€you€help€me€understand?ððÐ Ö(&$% ÐÌThe€painful€answer€is€yes,€I€can.€The€short€answer€is€your€child€did€not€have€a€real€relationship€with€God.Ð ®*þ%' ÐParents€still€do€not€understand€when€I€give€them€that€answer.€There€is€a€woeful€lack€of€understanding€todayÐ š+ê&( Ðon€the€subject€of€what€Proverbs€22:6€means.€Proverbs€22:6,€ð ðTrain€up€a€child€in€the€way€he€should€go€andÐ ° Ðwhen€he€is€old€(means€when€he€departs€the€house)€he€will€not€depart€from€it.ððÐ œì ÐÌLet€me€start€by€giving€a€bit€of€my€personal€testimony€on€this.€I€got€saved€at€the€age€of€19,€just€a€few€daysÐ tÄ Ðshort€of€my€20th€birthday,€and€neither€one€of€my€parents€were€saved.€I€did€not€come€from€a€Christian€home.Ð `° ÐAfter€I€got€saved€I€began€to€attend€an€independent-fundamental€Baptist€Church.€I€was€on€fire€for€God€in€theÐ L œ Ðsense€that€I€wanted€to€òòdo€something€(very€important€statement€you€will€understand€later€in€the€article)óó.€IÐ 8 ˆ Ðbegan€to€run€a€bus€route,€and€saw€several€children€make€professions€of€faith.€I€heard€my€pastor€say,€"readÐ $ t Ðyour€Bible€through€in€a€year."€So,€I€made€an€effort€to€read€my€Bible.€As€a€young€Christian€I€started€inÐ  ` ÐGenesis.€I€realize€the€Bible€says€ð ðall€scripture€is€profitable."€However,€some€scripture€is€more€profitable€thanÐ ü L  Ðothers.€It€was€not€the€place€for€me€as€a€young€Christian€to€start€reading€and€after€awhile€I€became€spasmodicÐ è 8  Ðat€it,€but€still€making€an€effort.€I€tried€to€pray€and€turned€in€a€long€list€every€day€to€God.€Did€I€get€answersÐ Ô$  Ðto€prayer?€Not€really.€After€about€a€year,€I€was€discouraged€and€defeated.€Maybe€there€is€something€wrongÐ À  Ðwith€me.€Maybe€I€am€not€saved,€I€thought.€I€knew€I€had€repented€of€my€sin€and€asked€Jesus€into€my€heart.Ð ¬ü  ÐBut€still€doubts€lingered€and€I€talked€with€my€pastor€several€times.€He€was€virtually€no€help€except€to€sayÐ ˜è  Ðð ðread€your€Bible.ðð€In€fact€he€was€given€to€many€doubts€and€fears€as€well€in€his€life.€Many€of€the€families€inÐ „Ô  Ðour€church€lived€worldly€lives.€Oh,€they€dressed€properly,€but€were€ungodly€in€many€ways€they€lived.€TheÐ pÀ Ðyoung€people€did€not€exhibit€godly€lives.€They€were€interested€in€fun€and€activities€but€not€a€real€relationshipÐ \¬ Ðwith€God.€After€awhile€of€defeat,€I€stayed€home€from€work€one€day.€I€wanted€to€pray€about€what€the€answerÐ H˜ Ðwas.€Later€in€the€afternoon,€Kim€sent€me€to€grocery€store.€I€was€desperate€and€virtually€cried€out€to€God€toÐ 4„ Ðhelp€me.€In€this€particular€store,€there€was€a€small€display€of€Christian€books€that€spun€around€in€a€rack.€IÐ  p Ðstopped€to€look€at€it.€As€I€was€looking€at€it,€I€noticed€a€book€called€ð ðHow€to€Study€the€Bibleðð.€God€said€thereÐ  \ Ðis€your€answer.€I€bought€the€book€and€devoured€it.€It€gave€me€thoughts€I€had€not€considered€about€myÐ øH Ðrelationship€to€Godððs€word.Ð ä4 ÐÌI€realized€I€needed€to€make€a€change€in€my€life.€However,€let€me€say€here€òòthat€many€Christians€read€theirÐ ¼  ÐBible€daily,€but€do€not€have€a€real,€intimate,€personal,€passionate,€relationship€with€Godóó.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌI€decided€that€I€was€going€to€have€a€time€with€God€daily.€Near€the€plant€I€was€working€at€there€was€a€park.Ð €Ð ÐI€had€an€hour€for€lunch.€Kim€fixed€me€a€sandwich€daily€and€I€went€to€the€park€for€lunch.€I€parked€my€carÐ l¼ Ðunder€a€tree€and€while€I€was€eating€my€lunch,€I€listened€on€the€radio€to€a€Bible€teacher,€who€helped€meÐ X ¨ Ðimmensely.€He€helped€to€understand€some€things€I€did€not€know.€After€about€10€to€15€minutes,€I€would€turnÐ D!” Ðoff€the€radio€and€begin€to€pray.€I€would€ask€God€to€show€me€if€there€was€any€sin€that€stood€between€HimÐ 0"€  Ðand€me€that€day.€God,€the€Holy€Spirit€would€speak€to€my€spirit€and€show€me€my€sin.€I€would€confess€thatÐ #l! Ðsin€and€turn€from€it.€Then€I€would€ask€God€to€speak€to€me€and€give€His€message€to€me€that€day.€As€I€wouldÐ $X" Ðread,€God€would€minister€to€my€heart.€Many€times€the€Holy€Spirit€would€stop€me€in€my€reading€and€showÐ ô$D # Ðme€a€truth€and€speak€to€my€heart€about€that€truth.€Many€times,€I€would€weep€over€that€truth€and€thank€GodÐ à%0!$ Ðfor€showing€it€to€me.€Godððs€word€came€alive€for€me.€I€would€ask€God€what€he€wanted€for€me€and€what€HeÐ Ì&"% Ðwanted€me€to€pray€about.€The€relationship€between€God€and€I€became€intimate,€personal,€and€passionate.Ð ¸'#& ÐI€began€to€grow€by€leaps€and€bounds.€I€devoured€my€Bible.€I€looked€up€the€meaning€of€the€words€and€GodÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcontinued€to€minister€to€me.€In€that€car,€under€that€tree€the€God€of€the€universe€changed€my€life.€It€startedÐ )à$( Ðme€on€the€development€of€an€intimate,€personal,€and€passionate€relationship€with€the€Savior.€I€look€back€onÐ |*Ì%) Ðthat€time€and€the€Lord€was€gracious€in€so€many€ways€to€me.€Virtually,€the€Holy€Spirit€of€God€taught€me€andÐ h+¸&* ÐI€am€forever€grateful.€It€energized€my€Christian€life€which€up€to€then€in€the€first€year€had€been€miserable.Ð ° ÐAs€I€have€studied€down€through€the€years,€I€now€want€to€share€some€very€important€truths€with€you€aboutÐ œì Ðthat€relationship€that€I€have€learned€about€now€being€saved€33€years.€I€have€been€preaching€and€teaching€theÐ ˆØ ÐBible€for€more€than€28€years.Ð tÄ ÐÌÔ_ÔI€had€tried€to€read€the€Bible€before,€but€failed€to€get€much€from€it.€Many€of€Godððs€people€seek€to€read€theirÐ L œ ÐBible€daily.€It€is€important€to€understand€that€the€Bible€is€not€an€information€book€it€is€a€book€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðòòtransformation.óó€ð ðAnd€be€not€conformed€to€this€world€but€òòbe€ye€transformed€by€the€renewing€of€yourÐ $ t Ðmindóóð8ððð,€Romans€12:2.€There€it€is€folks€that€word,€òòtransformation.óó€God€wants€your€life€to€be€òòtransformed.óóÐ  ` ÐHe€wants€it€to€be€changed,€and€to€develop€a€real€relationship€with€Him.Ð ü L  ÐÌLet€me€ask€you,€how€many€times€have€you€read€a€chapter€in€your€Bible€and€then€got€down€to€the€end€andÐ Ô$  Ðdid€not€know€what€you€had€read?€Many€people€will€make€the€effort€to€read€their€Bible€through€in€a€year.Ð À  ÐThey€do€not€get€much€out€of€that.€They€sit€in€church€half€paying€attention€and€they€get€some€informationÐ ¬ü  Ðabout€God.€Folks,€this€is€a€huge€spiritual€danger€to€your€children.€Many€of€Godððs€people€are€giving€theirÐ ˜è  Ðchildren€a€considerable€amount€of€information€about€God.€òòHowever,€there€is€no€development€of€a€realÐ „Ô  Ðrelationship€with€God.€This€is€the€greatest€tragedy€that€any€Christian€home€can€haveóó.Ð pÀ ÐÌI€have€known€Christians€who€have€memorized€many€passages€of€scripture€and€lived€like€the€devil.€I€can€hearÐ H˜ Ðsomeone€say€they€must€not€be€saved€then.€I€do€not€think€that€is€the€answer.€I€know€the€answer€is€the€realÐ 4„ Ðrelationship€with€God€is€not€there.€I€will€explain€in€detail€later€how€to€have€a€real€relationship€with€God.Ð  p ÐHere€is€the€child€who€grows€up€in€a€Christian€school,€the€family€has€family€devotions,€they€have€theirÐ  \ Ðchildren€read€the€Bible€daily€and€yet€there€is€this€disaster€when€the€child€leaves€the€home.Ð øH ÐÌWhat€happened€here?Ð Ð  ÐÌDo€you€realize€that€prior€to€getting€saved,€the€devil,€the€adversary€of€your€soul,€sought€to€stop€you€fromÐ ¨ø Ðgetting€saved?€However,€once€you€did€get€saved,€the€devil€now€wants€to€derail€your€relationship€with€God.Ð ”ä Ðð ðBut€òògrow€in€grace€and€in€knowledgeóó€of€our€Lord€and€Savior€Jesus€Christ,ðð€II€Peter€3:18.€Growing€meansÐ €Ð Ðchange.€The€word€here€for€knowledge€does€not€mean€to€have€knowledge€about€God,€but€the€knowledge€isÐ l¼ Ðto€be€transforming.€Dear€friends,€many€people€graduate€with€years€of€knowledge€about€God€from€BibleÐ X ¨ Ðcolleges,€Christian€schools,€or€home€schooling€and€live€a€wicked€and€vile€life.€Their€knowledge€is€notÐ D!” Ðòòtransformingóó.€The€devil€wants€to€stop€you€from€having€a€real€relationship€with€God€and€folks;€he€is€subtleÐ 0"€  Ðand€has€done€a€marvelous€job€in€derailing€the€lives€of€Godððs€people.€ð ðBe€sober;€be€vigilant,€because€yourÐ #l! Ðadversary€the€devil,€as€a€roaring€lion,€walketh€about€seeking€whom€he€may€devour.ðð€He€is€speaking€toÐ $X" ÐChristians€here.€Who€does€the€devil€devour?€Those€who€do€not€have€an€intimate,€personal,€passionateÐ ô$D # Ðrelationship€with€the€Savior.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌIt€is€important€to€realize€that€man€is€three€parts,€body,€soul,€and€spirit.€Just€because€you€got€saved€does€notÐ ¸'#& Ðmean€the€devil€is€no€longer€interested€in€you.€In€fact,€dear€friend,€the€battle€is€on.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌSo€are€you€going€to€win,€have€victory€in€that€battle,€just€because€you€read€the€Bible€and€do€not€get€anythingÐ |*Ì%) Ðout€of€it?€Or€you€pray€and€do€it€faithfully€and€never€see€answers€to€prayer.€The€relationship€is€not€a€realÐ h+¸&* Ðrelationship!€It€is€self-righteousness,€living€the€Christian€life€in€your€own€power.Ð ° ÐÌWhen€you€got€saved,€the€Holy€Spirit€of€God€came€to€indwell€you.€Up€until€that€time€your€spirit€was€dead.Ð ˆØ ÐBut€when€you€got€saved€your€spirit€was€made€alive.€Now€the€Holy€Spirit€of€God€can€speak€to€your€spirit.Ð tÄ ÐSomething€to€remember€is€God€always€deals€with€our€spirit€through€the€Holy€Spirit€through€His€word.Ð `° ÐRomans€8:9-11,€13-14,€16€ð ðBut€ye€are€not€in€the€flesh,€but€in€the€Spirit,€if€so€be€that€the€Spirit€of€God€dwellÐ L œ Ðin€you.€Now€if€any€man€have€not€the€Spirit€of€Christ,€he€is€none€of€his,€And€if€Christ€be€in€you,€the€body€isÐ 8 ˆ Ðdead€because€of€sin;€but€the€òòSpirit€is€lifeóó€because€of€righteousness.€But€if€the€Spirit€of€him€that€raised€upÐ $ t ÐJesus€from€the€dead€dwell€in€you,€he€that€raised€up€Christ€from€the€dead€shall€also€quicken€(revive€again)Ð  ` Ðyour€mortal€bodies€by€his€Spirit€that€dwelleth€in€you.€For€if€you€live€after€the€flesh,€ye€shall€die:€òòbut€if€yeÐ ü L  Ðthrough€the€Spirit€do€mortify€the€deeds€of€the€body,€ye€shall€liveóó.€For€as€many€as€are€led€by€the€Spirit€of€God,Ð è 8  Ðthey€are€the€sons€of€God.€The€Spirit€itself€beareth€witness€with€our€spirit,€that€we€are€the€children€of€God.ððÐ Ô$  ÐI€John€4:13,€"Hereby€know€we€that€we€dwell€in€him,€and€he€in€us,€because€he€hath€given€us€of€his€Spirit."Ð À  ÐThis€is€pretty€plain€that€the€Spirit€of€God€lives€in€us€and€bears€witness€with€our€spirit€and€God€wants€toÐ ¬ü  Ðcontrol€our€body€through€His€Spirit.€Folks,€the€Spirit€of€God€always€work€from€the€inside€of€us€to€the€outsideÐ ˜è  Ðof€us.€The€devil€always€works€from€the€outside€to€the€inside€of€us.€Remember,€I€said€we€are€three€parts,Ð „Ô  Ðbody,€soul,€and€spirit.€The€devil€desires€to€control€our€soul.€God€always€works€through€His€Spirit€to€ourÐ pÀ Ðspirit.€If€God€controls€our€spirit€then,€he€also€controls€our€soul€and€body.€The€devil€always€desires€to€putÐ \¬ Ðoutside€pressure€on€us€to€try€to€control€our€soul€and€body.€In€essence,€if€the€devil€controls€our€soul€whichÐ H˜ Ðis€the€seat€of€our€mind,€emotions,€and€will,€he€controls€our€body€and€that€means€he€controls€what€we€do.€HeÐ 4„ Ðcannot€possess€a€Christian,€but€he€certainly€can€and€does€oppress€the€Christian€with€outside€pressure.€WhenÐ  p Ðthe€devil€seeks€to€pressure€your€life€from€the€outside,€if€you€are€not€walking€in€the€Spirit€you€will€cave€intoÐ  \ Ðthat€temptation€because€the€devil€will€continue€to€put€pressure€on€in€different€forms.€He€does€this€in€threeÐ øH Ðways.€I€John€2:15-17,€ð ðLove€not€the€world,€neither€the€things€that€are€in€the€world.€If€any€man€love€theÐ ä4 Ðworld,€the€love€of€the€Father€is€not€in€him.€For€all€that€is€in€the€world,€the€lust€of€the€flesh,€and€the€lust€ofÐ Ð  Ðthe€eyes,€and€the€pride€of€life€is€not€of€the€Father,€but€is€of€the€world.€And€the€world€passeth€away€and€theÐ ¼  Ðlust€thereof;€but€he€that€doeth€the€will€of€the€God€abideth€for€everðð.Ð ¨ø ÐÌThe€devil€operates€with€the€three€ways€mentioned€here:Ð €Ð ÐÌÓ€ ({x83ÓÝ"‚±\"ÝÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÝ‚±\×EÝÔ2{xÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.Ô3  ÔÝ  Ýà Ü àThe€lust€of€the€flesh,€which€is€an€overwhelming€desire€òòto€doóó€something.€The€devil€preys€on€theÐ X ¨ ÐChristianððs€mind€here.݃±\×EFÝŒÐD!”ÜT$ÜT$ ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚±\"ÝÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÝ‚±\JGÝÔ2{xÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.Ô3  ÔÝ  Ýà Ü àThe€lust€of€the€eyes,€which€is€an€overwhelming€desire€òòto€haveóó€something.Ô€XzXXXzÔ€The€devil€preys€on€theÐ 0"€  ÐChristianððs€will€here.Ô€XzXXXzÔ݃±\JGGÝŒÐ#l!ÜT$ÜT$ ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚±\"ÝÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÝ‚±\üHÝÔ2{xÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ô3  ÔÝ  Ýà Ü àThe€pride€of€life-which€is€an€overwhelming€desire€òòto€beóó€someone€or€something.Ô€XzXXXzÔ€The€devil€preys€onÐ $X" Ðthe€Christianððs€emotions€here.݃±\üHAIÝŒÐô$D #ÜT$ÜT$ ÐŒÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÐ ÜT$ÜT$ ÐÔ€XzXXXzÔThe€devil€operated€in€the€same€way€with€his€outside€pressure€on€Adam€and€Eve.€When€for€the€first€time€thatÐ Ì&"% ÐAdam€and€Eve€had€pressure€put€on€them€from€the€outside€from€the€devil€in€the€Garden€of€Eden€they€fell.Ð ¸'#& ÐThey€caved€in.€Men€and€women€have€been€caving€in€the€same€way€ever€since.€So,€just€because€you€are€savedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdoesnððt€mean€you€will€not€cave.€If€you€do€not€have€a€real€relationship€with€God€you€will€cave€and€the€devilÐ )à$( Ðwill€control€what€you€do.Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐThrough€our€counseling€ministry,€I€have€spent€quite€a€few€hours€with€a€former€pastor€who€has€had€a€horribleÐ ° Ðlife€because€of€his€failure€to€have€a€real€relationship€with€God.€When€I€went€through€this€process€with€him,Ð œì Ðhe€said,€ð ðI€graduated€from€a€Bible€college€and€I€had€no€idea.€I€have€lived€after€the€dictates€of€the€flesh€andÐ ˆØ Ðthe€devil€has€controlled€my€life."€Unfortunately,€by€the€time€he€got€to€us€he€had€already€lost€his€oldest€childÐ tÄ Ðand€we€have€been€able€to€help€with€other€children.€No€one€in€the€family€had€a€real€relationship€with€God,Ð `° Ðnor€did€they€know€how€to€have€one.€The€family€has€had€great€disaster.€Folks,€I€have€found€this€to€beÐ L œ Ðextremely€common€among€Godððs€people.€You€see€most€of€Godððs€people€understand€that€they€cannot€workÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€their€salvation.€However,€they€think€they€can€live€the€Christian€life€in€their€own€power€by€their€goodÐ $ t Ðworks.€By€the€way€that€is€living€for€the€dictates€of€the€flesh€or€self-righteousness.€There€are€three€waysÐ  ` ÐChristians€seek€to€live€the€Christian€life,€in€unrighteousness,€self-righteous,€or€righteousness.Ð ü L  ÐUnrighteousness€means€they€are€given€over€to€the€lust€of€the€flesh,€eyes€and€pride€of€life.€Self€righteousnessÐ è 8  Ðmeans€they€are€seeking€to€live€the€Christian€life€in€their€own€power.€Do€they€go€to€church€three€times€a€weekÐ Ô$  Ðor€more?€Do€they€read€their€Bible€daily?€Do€they€pray€from€along€list€they€want€to€pray€about?€The€answerÐ À  Ðis€yes€to€all€the€above.€However,€they€do€not€have€a€real€relationship€with€the€Savior€and€it€leads€of€toÐ ¬ü  Ðdestruction€and€much€pain€in€their€life€and€in€the€lives€of€their€children.Ð ˜è  ÐÌIf€the€parents€do€not€have€a€real€relationship€with€the€Lord€how€can€they€teach€the€children€to€have€a€realÐ pÀ Ðrelationship€with€the€Lord?€The€answer€is€they€cannot,€and€the€disaster€will€be€extremely€painful€for€allÐ \¬ Ðinvolved.€The€devil€will€control€and€sift€their€life€and€they€will€not€have€a€clue€about€what€happened.€WhenÐ H˜ Ðpeople€come€through€our€counseling€program,€I€hear€phrases€like,€ð ðPastor,€I€am€trying€hard€here."€Or,€I€haveÐ 4„ Ðgot€to€try€harder."€What€are€they€saying,€ð ðThat€I€am€seeking€to€live€the€Christian€life€in€my€own€power?ðð€TheÐ  p Ðdevil€is€controlling€their€soul€therefore;€he€controls€their€body€(what€they€do).€Mark€8:36-37,€ð ðFor€what€shallÐ  \ Ðit€profit€a€man€if€gain€the€whole€world,€and€lose€his€own€soul?€Or€what€shall€a€man€give€in€exchange€for€hisÐ øH Ðsoul?ðð€Remember€I€John€2:15,€ð ðLove€not€the€world€nor€the€things€of€the€worldðð.€That€is€the€devilððs€desireÐ ä4 Ðfor€each€of€us€is€to€love€the€world.€Did€you€notice€in€Mark€8:36-37,€ð ðgain€the€whole€world?ðð€You€see€thatÐ Ð  Ðis€what€the€devil€wants€to€do€in€your€life€with€outside€pressure€to€get€you€to€seek€the€things€of€the€worldÐ ¼  Ðthrough€the€lust€of€the€flesh,€lust€of€the€eyes,€and€pride€of€life€and€he€puts€pressure€on€you€to€do€so.€If€youÐ ¨ø Ðdo€not€have€a€real€relationship€with€God,€you€will€cave€in€and€you€will€be€led€by€the€soul€(mind,€emotions,Ð ”ä Ðand€will)€which€leads€into€sin€and€disaster€every€time.Ð €Ð ÐÌAs€hundreds€of€people€contact€us€about€their€children€or€marriage€through€For€the€Love€of€the€Family,€it€isÐ X ¨ Ðalways€the€same€process.€The€devil€does€not€have€to€change€his€program.€He€has€been€pretty€successful€clearÐ D!” Ðback€to€Adam€and€Eve€as€to€the€way€he€has€operated.Ð 0"€  ÐÌHe€wants€to€derail€your€life€and€destroy€it.€He€makes€war€on€babies€and€he€will€make€war€on€your€babies.Ð $X" ÐListen€to€me€carefully,€parent,€you€must€have€a€real€relationship€with€God€and€convey€to€your€children€howÐ ô$D # Ðto€have€a€real€relationship€with€God.€Exposure€to€information€about€God€will€not€be€the€answer€for€yourÐ à%0!$ Ðchildren,€it€will€lead€them€to€disaster.€It€will€lead€you€to€disaster€as€well.€They€will€be€destroyed€by€theÐ Ì&"% Ðdestroyer€through€unrighteousness€or€their€self-righteousness.€You€will€be€in€great€pain€as€they€will.€The€sadÐ ¸'#& Ðpart€is€here€is€a€Christian€who€does€not€know€how€to€turn€their€life€around.€They€end€up€in€the€hog€pen€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdo€not€know€how€to€get€out.€They€do€not€fit€in€at€church,€they€do€not€fit€in€in€the€world,€and€they€areÐ )à$( Ðmiserable.€They€are€seeking€pleasures€through€the€lust€of€the€flesh,€the€lust€of€the€eyes,€and€the€pride€of€lifeÐ |*Ì%) Ðfrom€the€world.€The€devil€continues€to€put€outside€pressure€on€and€the€Holy€Spirit€continues€to€convict€themÐ h+¸&* Ðof€their€sinfulness.€What€a€miserable€wretched€experience.Ð ° ÐÌMany€times€when€the€Christian€is€seeking€to€live€a€life€of€self-righteousness,€they€eventually€tire€of€keepingÐ ˆØ Ðup€the€grueling€self€work€with€very€little€joy€and€they€quit€and€spiral€down€and€have€no€answers.€TheÐ tÄ Ðdestroyer€is€destroying€their€life.€So€who€is€the€devil€looking€to€destroy,€the€one€who€does€not€have€a€realÐ `° Ðrelationship€with€the€Lord.Ð L œ ÐÌGalatians€5€explains€this€in€detail.€Galatians€5:16,€ð ðThis€I€say€then,€Walk€in€the€Spirit€and€ye€shall€not€fulfillÐ $ t Ðthe€lust€of€the€flesh.ðð€€The€answer€is€the€Holy€Spirit€who€indwells€us€wants€us€to€be€Spirit€controlled.€OurÐ  ` Ðwalk€is€our€daily€life.€òòThe€promise€is€if€we€walk€in€the€Spirit€we€will€not€fulfill€the€lust€of€the€flesh.€Ð ü L  ÐSo,€the€answer€is€to€have€a€real€relationship€with€God€by€walking€in€the€Spiritóó.Ð è 8  ÐÌI€want€you€to€notice€in€Galatians€5:19-21€that€a€person€who€is€not€walking€in€the€Spirit€will€be€involved€inÐ À  Ðthe€lust€of€the€flesh,€ð ðNow€the€works€of€the€flesh€are€manifest€which€are€these:€adultery,€fornication,Ð ¬ü  Ðuncleanness,€lasciviousness€(unbridled€lust),€idolatry,€witchcraft€(same€word€we€get€our€word€drugs€from),Ð ˜è  Ðhatred,€variance€(person€who€quarrels€with€everyone€and€everything),€emulations€(an€attitude€of€deep€rage,Ð „Ô  Ðjealousy€and€envy)wrath,€strife,€Ô_ÔseditionsÔ_Ô€(division€and€dissension),€heresies,€envyings,€murders,Ð pÀ Ðdrunkenness,€revellings€(orgies,€carousing)and€such€like:€of€the€which€I€tell€you€before,€as€I€have€also€toldÐ \¬ Ðyou€in€time€past,€that€they€which€do€such€things€shall€not€inherit€the€kingdom€of€God.ðð€Folks,€if€a€personÐ H˜ Ðcan€continually€and€habitually€do€these€things€and€are€never€convicted€about€them€by€the€Holy€Spirit€theyÐ 4„ Ðare€lost.€However,€there€are€people€who€are€saved€who€do€such€things€and€are€miserable€as€they€areÐ  p Ðconvicted€by€the€Holy€Spirit.€The€end€result€is€the€person€is€deceived.€Galatians€6:7-8,€"Be€not€deceived;Ð  \ ÐGod€is€not€mocked:€for€whatsoever€a€man€soweth,€that€shall€he€also€reap.€For€he€that€soweth€to€the€fleshÐ øH Ðshall€of€the€flesh€reap€corruption;€but€he€that€òòsoweth€to€the€Spiritóó€shall€reap€life€everlasting."€So,€if€I€do€notÐ ä4 Ðhave€a€real€relationship€to€God€through€the€Spirit€of€God€I€will€have€a€disaster€even€though€I€go€to€church,Ð Ð  Ðread€my€Bible€daily,€pray,€and€memorize€the€Bible.€The€person€who€does€these€things€without€a€realÐ ¼  Ðrelationship€with€God€is€mocking€God€(means€they€treat€God€with€contempt).€Unfortunately,€a€number€ofÐ ¨ø Ðpeople€in€church€fall€into€this€category.€They€sow€to€the€flesh€because€of€a€lack€or€a€relationship€with€God.Ð ”ä ÐNotice€Galatians€5:25,€ð ðIf€we€live€in€the€Spirit€(we€are€saved)€òòlet€us€also€walk€in€the€Spiritóó.€Folks,€we€haveÐ €Ð Ðto€have€a€real€relationship€with€the€Spirit€of€God€to€control€our€walk.€Otherwise€the€devil€will€control€ourÐ l¼ Ðsoul€and€he€will€control€our€walk.€God€speaks€to€our€spirit€from€the€inside€of€us.€The€devil€seeks€to€controlÐ X ¨ Ðour€soul€by€putting€outside€pressure€on€us.Ð D!” ÐÌOur€relationship€with€God€is€a€matter€of€worship.€The€Holy€Spirit€of€God€speaking€to€our€spirit.€One€of€theÐ #l! Ðgreat€joys€of€my€life€is€to€daily€have€God€speak€to€my€life€through€His€word.€John€4:24,€ð ðGod€is€a€Spirit:€andÐ $X" Ðthey€that€worship€him€must€worship€him€in€spirit€and€in€truth.ðð€€My€daily€time€with€God€is€worship.Ð ô$D # ÐNow,€letððs€talk€about€how€to€have€that€real€relationship€with€God.€When€I€met€Kim,€who€is€now€my€wife,Ð à%0!$ ÐI€decided€I€wanted€to€have€relationship€with€her.€I€wanted€to€be€around€her.€I€wanted€to€òòtalk€to€her€and€listenÐ Ì&"% Ðto€heróó.€Communication€is€the€most€important€thing€about€building€a€relationship.€A€relationship€is€not€a€oneÐ ¸'#& Ðway€street.€It€is€a€two€way€street€of€talk€and€listen,€listen€and€talk.€God€speaks€to€my€spirit€through€his€SpiritÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthrough€His€word.€To€have€communication€with€God€I€must€deal€with€my€sin.€So,€to€have€a€real€relationshipÐ )à$( Ðwith€God€I€must€do€several€things:Ð |*Ì%) ÐÐ h+¸&* ÐÓ€ ({x88ÓÝ"‚±\"ÝÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÝ‚±\asÝÔ2{xÔÚ  Ú1Ú  Ú.Ô3  ÔÝ  Ýà Ü àI€have€to€deal€with€my€sin€daily.€Remember€talk€listen,€listen€and€talk.€I€learned€at€the€park€in€the€carÐ ° Ðseveral€years€ago€to€ask€God€if€there€was€any€sin€that€stood€between€me€Ýƒ±\as¦s݌МìÜT$ÜT$ ÐŒÝ  ÝÓ XÓand€Him€that€day.€Lord€show€it€to€me.€He€will.€When€He€does,€I€need€to€confess€the€sin€and€turnÐ ˆØ Ðfrom€it,€I€John€1;€9.€I€am€now€free€to€communicate€with€God.€You€know,€I€found€out€how€graciousÐ tÄ Ðand€loving€God€is€as€He€dealt€with€me€through€His€word€in€dealing€with€my€sins.€Sometimes€itÐ `° Ðalmost€literally€hurt€to€see€how€ugly€my€life€was.€The€joy€of€sins€forgiven€and€the€openness€of€whichÐ L œ ÐGod€now€opened€His€word€to€me€I€thought€was€incredible.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÓ€ ({x88ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚±\"ÝÝ  ÝÓ XÓà0 Ü àà „ àÝ‚±\×wÝÔ2{xÔÚ  Ú2Ú  Ú.Ô3  ÔÝ  Ýà Ü àWe€developed€a€program€here€at€For€the€Love€of€the€Family€several€years€Ô_ÔagocalledÔ_Ô€ð ðHow€to€HaveÐ $ t Ða€Daily€Time€With€God.ðð€The€premise€is€to€have€a€note€book€called€a€"Daily€Spiritual€Diary".€EachÐ  ` Ðday€I€use€a€page€of€the€note€book,€and€write€down€1.€òòGodððs€Message€to€Me€Today.óó€2.€A€PromiseÐ ü L  Ðfrom€God.€3.€A€Command€to€Keep,€4.€A€Timeless€Principle€(a€principle€that€is€good€for€all€time€inÐ è 8  Ðboth€Old€and€New€Testament).€5.€My€Application.€6.€Additional€Comments.€I€recommend€you€haveÐ Ô$  Ða€spiral€bound€notebook€for€your€"Daily€Spiritual€Diary".€Folks,€the€note€book€does€not€lie€as€I€putÐ À  Ðthe€date€of€each€day€right€at€the€top.€It€is€a€record€of€my€faithfulness€in€my€relationship€with€theÐ ¬ü  ÐSavior.݃±\×w*x݌Иè ÜT$ÜT$ ÐŒÝ  ÝÝ"‚±\"ÝÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÝ‚±\/|ÝÔ2{xÔÚ  Ú3Ú  Ú.Ô3  ÔÝ  Ýà Ü àEach€day€I€ask€God€to€give€me€His€message€for€me€today.€In€essence€I€want€to€hear€from€God€forÐ „Ô  Ðreal.€ð ðLord,€show€me€what€you€have€today€for€me€from€your€word.€Please€make€it€real€to€my€life.ðð݃±\/|t|ÝŒÐpÀÜT$ÜT$ ÐŒÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÐ ÜT$ÜT$ Ðà0 Ü àFolks,€God€does€not€bless€Bible€readers;€He€blesses€Bible€Ô_ÔmeditatorsÔ_Ô,€Psalm€1:1-6.€As€I€am€readingÐ H˜ Ðdown€through€my€Bible€òòwhen€the€Holy€Spirit€shows€me€a€truth€I€stopóó!€I€read€the€verse€over€severalÐ 4„ Ðtimes.€I€break€down€the€verse.€If€I€do€not€know€what€some€words€mean€in€the€verse,€I€look€it€up.Ð  p ÐòòListen€carefully,€the€reason€I€stopped€is€because€I€have€asked€the€Holy€Spirit€to€give€me€His€messageÐ  \ Ðfor€me€today.€God€speaks€to€my€heart€(Ô_ÔmeditatorÔ_Ô)€about€this€passage.€Meditating€is€thinking€aboutÐ øH Ðthe€passageóó.€Psalm€119:11,€ð ðThy€word€have€I€hid€in€mine€heart,€that€I€might€not€sin€against€thee.ððÐ ä4 ÐThis€verse€is€not€about€memorizing€the€Bible€for€knowledge€purposes€it€is€about€putting€it€in€yourÐ Ð  Ðheart€(Ô_ÔmeditatorÔ_Ô).€òòI€am€stopped€to€listen€to€God.óó€It€is€time€to€stop,€not€talk€and€listen€and€learn€fromÐ ¼  Ðthe€Master€Teacher.€I€then€write€it€down€in€my€own€words.€I€them€proceed€and€the€Holy€Spirit€stopsÐ ¨ø Ðme€again€for€a€promise,€command€etc.€I€dissect€the€verse€that€the€Holy€Spirit€has€stopped€me€on.Ð ”ä ÐPsalm€19:14,€"Let€the€words€of€my€mouth€and€the€òòmeditation€of€my€heart€be€acceptable€in€thy€sightóó,Ð €Ð ÐO€Lord,€my€strength€,€and€my€redeemer."Ðl¼ÜT$ÜT$ ÐÌà0 Ü àI€have€a€page€in€my"Daily€Spiritual€Diary"where€I€write€special€thoughts€from€God€and€meditate€onÐ D!” Ðthem.€I€want€to€have€a€real€relationship€with€the€God€of€the€universe€and€I€want€Him€to€speak€to€me.Ð 0"€  ÐI€then€write€down€under€My€Application,€what€all€this€means€to€me€and€how€I€can€apply€it€to€my€life.Ð #l! ÐI€write€it€down€in€my€own€words.€Ð$X"ÜT$ÜT$ ÐÌÝ"‚±\"ÝÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÝ‚±\¾…ÝÔ2{xÔÚ  Ú4Ú  Ú.Ô3  ÔÝ  Ýà Ü àNow€we€come€to€the€prayer€time.€Remember€a€relationship€is€about€talk€and€listen,€listen€and€talk.Ð à%0!$ ÐAs€I€come€to€prayer,€I€ask€God€to€speak€to€my€spirit€today€about€what€He€wants€me€to€pray€about.€Ð Ì&"% Ðð ðLord€what€do€you€want€me€to€pray€about€today?"€This€is€very€important.€Remember€I€John€2:15-17Ð ¸'#& Ðwhere€the€devil€is€seeking€to€control€my€life€through€outside€pressure€through€the€lust€of€the€flesh,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðan€overwhelming€desire€to€òòdoóó,€lust€of€the€eyes,€an€overwhelming€desire€to€òòhaveóó,€and€the€pride€of€life,Ð )à$( Ðan€overwhelming€desire€to€òòbeóó.€Listen€carefully,€after€asking€God€what€He€wants€me€to€pray€aboutÐ |*Ì%) Ðtoday,€and€praying€about€it€as€He€speaks€to€me.€I€then€ask€God€what€He€wants€me€to€òòdoóó€today.€WhatÐ h+¸&* ÐHe€wants€me€toòò€haveóó€today€and€what€He€wants€me€to€òòbeóó€today.€Effectively,€I€have€disarmed€theÐ ° Ðdevilððs€approach€by€turning€these€three€areas€over€to€God.€Folks,€would€it€not€be€better€to€pray€aboutÐ œì Ðwhat€God€wants€you€to€òòdo,€have,€and€beóó?€The€people€who€come€through€our€counseling€program€areÐ ˆØ Ðalways€talking€about€what€they€want€to€do,€what€they€want€to€have,€and€what€they€want€to€be.€I€knowÐ tÄ Ðimmediately€they€are€being€controlled€by€the€devilððs€influence€on€their€soul€and€he€is€thereforeÐ `° Ðcontrolling€their€body€and€therefore€controlling€what€they€ultimately€do.݃±\¾…†ÝŒÐL œÜT$ÜT$ ÐŒÝ  ÝÌÓ€ ({x88ÓØ! !ØÝ"‚±\"ÝÝ  Ýà0 Ü àà „ àÝ‚±\JÝÔ2{xÔÚ  Ú5Ú  Ú.Ô3  ÔÝ  Ýà Ü àThere€are€three€more€things€I€want€to€ask€God€about.€First€of€all€who€does€He€want€me€to€witnessÐ $ t Ðto€today?€Then€I€stop€talking€(be€quiet)€and€listen€to€God.€Remember€a€relationship€is€a€two€wayÐ  ` Ðstreet,€talk€and€listen,€listen€and€talk.€After€God€tells€me€who€to€witness€to€today,€I€then€ask€him€whoÐ ü L  ÐHe€wants€me€to€encourage€today.€When€He€brings€up€that€person€I€pray€for€them€and€then€maybeÐ è 8  Ðgive€them€a€call€or€write€them€a€note.€Thirdly,€I€ask€God€what€I€can€praise€Him€for€today.€There€areÐ Ô$  Ðmany€passages€of€scripture€that€tell€us€to€praise€God.€However,€I€want€to€know€what€He€wants€meÐ À  Ðto€praise€Him€for.€Why€do€I€pray€about€whom€to€witness€to€today,€encourage€today,€and€to€praiseÐ ¬ü  ÐGod€for?€Because€I€am€focusing€on€others€and€not€myself.€When€most€Christians€pray€they€have€aÐ ˜è  Ðlist€and€they€go€down€it€and€it€is,€ð ðLord€give€me€this€and€I€want€that€or€let€me€be€this."€It€is€aÐ „Ô  Ðself-righteous€way€to€pray€and€it€is€not€going€anywhere,€because€it€is€the€way€the€devil€wants€to€focusÐ pÀ Ðin€the€Christianððs€life€to€get€them€to€love€the€world.€I€John€2:15,€ð ðIf€any€man€love€the€world€the€loveÐ \¬ Ðof€the€Father€is€not€in€Him.ðð€Does€that€mean€he€is€lost?€No,€it€means€he€does€not€have€a€realÐ H˜ Ðrelationship€with€God.€His€love€is€somewhere€else,€the€world.€When€you€develop€a€real€relationshipÐ 4„ Ðwith€the€Savior,€it€will€be€a€love€relationship.€Think€about€it,€the€God€of€the€universe€is€speaking€toÐ  p Ðme€and€I€am€listening€to€Him.€I€am€talking€to€Him€and€He€is€listening€to€me.€What€will€reallyÐ  \ Ðeffectively€increase€your€faith,€will€be€when€you€ask€God€what€to€pray€about€and€He€tells€you€andÐ øH Ðyou€pray€about€it€and€it€is€answered.€When€was€the€last€time€you€had€a€real€answer€to€prayer.€Are€youÐ ä4 Ðself-righteously€praying?݃±\JÝŒÐÐ ÜT$ÜT$ ÐŒÝ  ÝÌI€use€to€play€professional€baseball€as€a€pitcher.€When€I€would€stand€on€the€mound€I€would€look€at€the€catcherÐ ¨ø Ðand€ignore€the€hitter.€When€I€threw€a€92€mile€an€hour€fast€ball€by€the€hitter€I€was€focused€on€me€and€theÐ ”ä Ðcatcher.€In€baseball€terms€it€was€called€ð ðhe€is€in€the€zone.ðð€Nothing€else€was€focused€on.€I€liken€that€to€myÐ €Ð Ðrelationship€to€God.€It€is€personal,€(between€me€and€God),€intimate€(it€is€a€love€relationship,€very€close€toÐ l¼ Ðeach€other),€passionate€(there€is€real€desire€there).€Nothing€motivates€you€more€than€to€know€that€God€willÐ X ¨ Ðspeak€to€you€today€and€will€hear€you€speak€to€Him.€Talk€listen,€listen€talk.Ð D!” ÐÌWithout€the€intimate,€personal,€passionate€relationship€between€me€and€God€I€am€doomed€to€disaster€afterÐ #l! Ðdisaster€and€failure€in€many€parts€of€my€life.€It€will€always€affect€my€wife€and€children.€If€I€am€living€theÐ $X" ÐChristian€life€in€unrighteousness€or€self-righteousness€(seeking€to€live€the€Christian€life€in€my€own€power),Ð ô$D # ÐI€am€doomed€to€a€lot€of€pain€and€destruction€in€my€life.€The€devil€really€does€not€care€if€I€live€it€either€wayÐ à%0!$ Ðit€is€fine€with€him.Ð Ì&"% ÐÌThe€sadness€of€the€hour€in€which€we€live€is€many€Christians€do€not€have€a€real€relationship€with€God.€Folks,Ð ¤(ô#' Ðdo€not€think€that€I€have€said€memorization€of€scripture€is€not€good,€it€is,€but€by€itself€will€create€aÐ )à$( Ðself-righteous€life.€If€you€memorize€it€meditate€on€it.€How€does€God€speak€to€you€through€the€verses?€Also,Ð |*Ì%) Ðyou€have€to€read€your€Bible€to€meditate,€but€you€have€to€stop€to€study€and€listen€to€the€Spirit€of€God€whenÐ h+¸&* ÐHe€wants€to€show€you€what€He€wants€for€you€from€Godððs€Word.€Do€not€just€keep€on€going€because€youÐ ° Ðhave€three€or€four€chapters€you€must€read€today.€òòYou€have€to€stop€and€listenóó!€A€real€relationship€requiresÐ œì Ðwe€spend€quality€time€together.€Kim€is€my€best€friend.€She€is€someone€I€can€talk€to€and€listen€to.€She€is€theÐ ˆØ Ðlove€of€my€life.€My€relationship€with€the€Lord€is€to€be€like€that€as€well.Ð tÄ ÐÌWe€have€a€booklet€on€our€web€site€Ô4‚ an¯ÔÔ5  ÔÔÔòòwww.fortheloveofthefamily.com€Ô6MŸÔÔ7an$aŸÔÔÔóócalled€ð ðHow€to€Have€A€Daily€TimeÐ L œ ÐWith€Godðð.€It€will€show€you€step€by€step€how€to€have€an€intimate,€personal,€passionate€relationship€with€theÐ 8 ˆ ÐSavior.€Remember,€my€baseball€story.€€While€I€was€pitching€the€infielders€behind€me€would€chatter€to€tryÐ $ t Ðto€distract€the€hitter€and€disrupt€their€concentration.€I€was€in€the€zone,€just€me€and€the€catcher.€After€theÐ  ` Ðpitch,€I€would€hear€an€infielder€say,€ð ðway€to€go€hum€baby!ðð€When€you€have€a€real€intimate€personal,Ð ü L  Ðpassionate€relationship€with€the€Lord,€you€are€in€the€zone€and€humming.€When€the€devil€comes€along€withÐ è 8  Ðhis€outside€pressure,€you€are€focused€on€the€Spirit€of€God€speaking€to€your€spirit€and€your€soul€is€thenÐ Ô$  Ðcontrolled€by€the€Spirit€of€God€and€so€is€your€body,€òòthus€you€are€Spirit€controlled€and€walking€in€the€Spiritóó.Ð À  ÐWhen€there€is€outside€pressure€from€the€devil€instead€of€responding€to€people€with€anger,€meanness,Ð ¬ü  Ðharshness€or€other€responses,€you€are€responding€with€the€fruits€of€the€spirit,€Galatians€5:22-22,€ð ðlove,€joy,Ð ˜è  Ðpeace,€long-suffering,€gentleness,€goodness,€faith,€meekness,€and€temperance.ðð€Once€I€learned€what€it€wasÐ „Ô  Ðto€have€a€real€relationship€with€God,€as€a€father,€I€knew€I€had€to€teach€it€to€my€children.€I€wanted€them€toÐ pÀ Ðreally€know€the€Lord.€I€went€through€it€with€them€about€what€all€this€meant.€I€wanted€them€to€know€how€toÐ \¬ Ðhave€a€real€relationship€with€God.€Without€it€they€will€be€a€disaster€when€they€leave€my€house.€Many€timesÐ H˜ ÐI€would€ask€my€daughters€when€they€were€growing€up,€ð ðwhat€is€God€speaking€to€you€about?ðð€Their€answersÐ 4„ Ðwere€always€revealing€to€me.€I€did€not€just€hope€it€would€happen.€I€wanted€them€to€taste€of€the€Lord€and€seeÐ  p Ðthat€He€was€good!€We€spent€time€talking€about€our€relationship€with€God.€I€would€ask€them€what€God€wasÐ  \ Ðspeaking€to€them€about€to€pray€about.€We€talked€about€it€and€as€they€got€older€they€would€come€with€realÐ øH Ðexcitement€to€tell€me€what€God€was€speaking€to€them€about€or€what€God€had€taught€them.€We€would€haveÐ ä4 Ðthat€excitement€and€joy€together.€I€believe€the€principle€of€Ephesians€6:4€is€very€important€here.€ð ðFathers,Ð Ð  Ðprovoke€not€your€children€to€wrath.ðð€How€would€a€father€provoke€his€children€to€wrath?€Could€it€be€becauseÐ ¼  Ðhe€did€not€teach€them€to€have€a€real€relationship€with€the€Lord?€So,€they€learn€in€their€life€when€the€outsideÐ ¨ø Ðpressure€comes€from€Satan€how€to€respond€by€being€controlled€by€their€soul€and€respond€in€the€dictates€ofÐ ”ä Ðthe€flesh.€One€of€those€is€ð ðwrathðð,€Galatians€5:19-21.The€rest€of€Ephesians€6:4€says,€ð ðBut€bring€them€up€inÐ €Ð Ðthe€nurture€and€admonition€of€the€Lord.ðð€It€means€training€with€structure.€I€say€again€folks,€how€can€a€parentÐ l¼ Ðget€the€heart€of€their€child€and€train€them€to€have€a€relationship€with€the€Lord€if€they€are€living€aÐ X ¨ Ðself-righteous€(living€the€Christian€life€in€the€own€power)€or€unrighteous€life?€It€is€not€going€to€happen€andÐ D!” Ðthe€end€result€for€the€childððs€life€is€the€works€of€the€flesh€list€of€Galatians€5:19-21.€€(Read€that€list€over€andÐ 0"€  Ðmeditate€on€it.€Are€you€or€your€children€in€that€list?).€The€kind€of€life€the€self€righteous€Christian€lives€is€aÐ #l! Ðreal€grind.€It€is€over€and€over€the€same€thing€keeping€the€rules,€but€not€experiencing€the€power€of€a€realÐ $X" Ðrelationship€with€God.€The€Christian€who€lives€that€way€takes€on€the€19€characteristics€of€the€apostate€ageÐ ô$D # Ðin€which€we€live€from€II€Timothy€3:1-5.€How€does€it€end?€ð ðHaving€a€form€of€godliness,€but€denying€theÐ à%0!$ Ðpower€thereof.ðð€What€a€miserable€life€and€a€destructive€life!€It€does€not€have€to€be€that€way.€We€can€haveÐ Ì&"% Ðvictory€through€the€power€of€the€Spirit€of€God€who€indwells€us€and€wants€us€to€have€a€real€relationship€withÐ ¸'#& ÐHim.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌIf€you€need€help€because€you€are€caught€in€the€sins€of€the€flesh€because€of€outside€pressure€from€the€devilÐ |*Ì%) Ðand€do€not€know€what€to€do,€feel€free€to€contact€us.€May€God€help€you€today€seek€and€have€a€realÐ h+¸&* Ðrelationship€with€Him.Ð ° ÐÌò òÔ€ô= òXXzÔÔ€ô= ò òô=Ôó óDr.€Terry€L.€Coomer€is€the€Pastor€of€Elwood€Bible€Baptist€Church,€and€the€Director€of€For€the€Love€of€the€Family€Ministries.Ð ˆØ ÐHe€has€also€served€as€the€Publisher€of€the€nationððs€fastest€growing€daily€newspaper.€Pastor€Coomer€holds€Family€ConferencesÐ Lœ Ðin€the€local€church.€To€have€a€meeting€at€your€church€or€other€needs€he€may€be€contacted€at€(765)€552‚€1973,€Ô4‚ anÕÔÔ5  ÔÔÔòòtlcoomer@juno.comÔÔóó.Ð ` ÐTÔ6­³ÔÔ7anìÁ³Ôhere€are€many€helpful€articles€and€material€on€our€web€site€to€help€you€change€your€life€at€Ô4‚ an³ÔÔ5  ÔÔÔòòwww.fortheloveofthefamily.comÔÔóó.Ô6–´ÔÔ7anQ#ª´Ô€WeÐ Ô$ Ðserve€the€God€of€answers.€If€you€need€help€finding€those€answers€you€may€contact€us€atÔ4‚ anxÔÔ5  ÔÔÔòòtlcoomer@juno.comÔÔóó.Ô6‡µÔÔ7anö›µÔ€To€be€removed€fromÐ ˜ è Ðour€mailing€list€send€an€e-mail€to€Ô4‚an: ÔÔ5  ÔÔÔòòtlcoomer@juno.comÔÔóó.Ô6I¶ÔÔ7an¸]¶Ô