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Perhaps you are in the same condition that I was. Perhaps you, too, would like to be born again and have tried to persuade God to save you, but He seems to remain distant. Perhaps your conscience is pressing down on you with guilt. Maybe you are stuck like I was, and you feel that you have tried very hard to please God, but He doesn’t seem to care. You have tried your institution’s prescribed way of reaching God, but somehow you fell through the cracks, and the formula didn’t work for you as it seems to have worked for others. Maybe you are terrified at the thought of meeting God, as I was. And maybe, just maybe, you hate the sin that you are living in, like I did, but you keep going back to it. Maybe you, too, fall asleep on a tear-soaked pillow, praying that you will not die, because it is the only prayer you dare pray.

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What are you afraid of? It seems like everyone has a fear of something. You could be afraid of the dark, or maybe you have a fear of snakes or spiders. Maybe it’s a fear of the future, of the unknown, or the fear of being alone. Most, if not all of us, probably have at least one of these fears. Fear can be a good thing, warning us of danger. For example, let’s say we are on the way to church on a Sunday morning, and suddenly we see a horse galloping down the road toward us. The horse is not pulling a buggy, and no one is in control of the horse. It is apparent that this a runaway horse. So, how do we respond?

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Just a simple line spoken over me, but such grace and wonder it held. "The things of the past, the pain, the mistakes, are not a waste. God will use those things in a wonderful way." I always knew God was able to use everything in our lives for good, even the bad things, but I still had a mindset that suggested that some seasons of my life were simply wasted, thrown away, and irretrievable. I found myself unable to move forward as I wanted to because I wanted a do-over. God doesn't give us do-overs, my friends. He gives us something better! He gives us second chances, yes, but He gives us something much better than that. He has the ability to make something totally wonderful, beautiful and new from our mistakes and from our sin! The only thing we need to do is to confess it, repent, and give it to Him!

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Suppose you saw Jesus sitting down and talking with someone. Curious, you sneak up and eavesdrop, and you are surprised to hear them talking about you! If this would happen, what do you think Jesus would be saying about you? Would He be praising you for your good works and faithfulness? Would He be speaking of your need to repent and turn from sin or from dead works?

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One day, I was listening to a man preach from the book of Hebrews. I was at the point where I was desperate to know the truth. I had worn myself out trying to please God, and I still didn’t have peace. I listened to the words being preached, and I was ready to let the Bible say what it wanted to say to me. I was done with trying to figure out what I needed to do; I was ready to just listen. I had tried all that I knew, and all that I had to show for it was a history of failing and a bleak and miserable future of unending efforts that would only serve to ease my conscience while I waited in vain for the miracle of salvation.

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There are very few things as powerful as praying women. The tenacity of a woman praying for those she loves is a force to be reckoned with! Today I would like to address something that can hinder this force. Do you ever feel like you are praying and praying to no avail? One of the most powerful forces in making sure your prayers bring change is to make sure your heart is properly aligned with the Lord. I'll give you an example. For years I have prayed that my husband's priorities would be lined up with God’s, that he can keep God first, me second, the children third, etc. But for years this has been an area where the enemy keeps attacking our family in one way or another, bringing much frustration and hurt.

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A heart that is heavy. Do those who carry such hearts know what brought such sorrow? When they wake up they’re filled with loneliness and grief. At times their sadness leaves. They laugh with friends; they share their troubles. Friends call them kindred spirits, but in the quietness of their home, when no one is around but God Himself, the grief is keenly felt.

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Matthew 3:1-3: In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

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Paul starts Hebrews 3:7 by writing, Wherefore as the Holy Spirit says... and then quotes Psalm 95:7-11. By quoting Old Testament scriptures to these New Testament Christians, Paul is making it quite clear that the Holy Spirit still speaks to us today from the Old Testament. In fact, in I Cor. 10:1-11 he tells us the things that happened to the children of Israel while they journeyed in the wilderness were written for our admonition so we could be warned and learn from the mistakes they made. The danger of hardening our hearts is as great today as it was for the children of Israel in the desert. We need to heed the solemn warnings in the Old Testament against sin and hardening of our hearts, as well as those in the New Testament. All were given to us by the Holy Spirit, and these warnings are as applicable to us today as they were to Israel at that time.

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Little Tobias tried his best to be a good little boy, to sit up straight, and listen to the sermon. but it was all to no avail. Eventually, mother nature would take over, and little Tobias would put his arms on his knees, his chin in his hands, and doze off. It was not humanly possible to stay awake.

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I longed for God, yet the desires of the flesh kept pulling me away from him. Every day I faced strong temptations in all areas of life, and, though I tried my best to fight them, I could not resist. I was Amish; everything I did and everywhere I went, I could not be anything else. My clothes were Amish, my house was Amish, my family was Amish, and most importantly, my church was Amish. But I did not know God. I heard about him, and read about Him. But I didn’t know who He was, much less love Him.

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We recently received a letter in the mail from a lady named Grace. Grace shared her testimony and a little bit of her troubled past with us. She gave us permission to share them with you. She would like us all to pray for her. Please take a moment to read her story below: A while back, I was seeking help from a counselor. I was miserable on the inside and I poured out my heart to him. At one point, I was in so much pain that I fell to the floor and began pulling at my hair; I somehow received relief from the pressure on my head.

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Let’s start with some questions, before we dig into What Separates Christianity From All Other Religions. First question. If I sat across the table from you, and asked, do you—with great confidence—know what you believe about Christianity? What would you use to back up your answers? How do your beliefs differ from 4,200 other religions in the world? How do you know you have the right belief(s)? Would you change your beliefs, if you knew they were wrong?

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am writing letter as a plea to fathers in this generation. My heart has been deeply hurt by the things I see happening in today's generation, even in churches and religious circles. We live in a fatherless generation. Our children have absentee fathers (whose own fathers were too busy for them) who somehow feel that fatherhood consists of special privileges, sharing seed, and providing an income (if their families are fortunate). When they come home from work, they figure that their day's work is accomplished, and so they put up their feet and relax while the wife and mom, who has been working hard all day, giving emotionally, spiritually, and physically to the children and is ready to relax as well, dishes up supper and cleans it all up, while trying to take care of the children alone.

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Dear Amish Voice: God has revealed to us that our lifestyle has no merits for salvation. Galatians 3:2-3 says, This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Galatians 4:9 states, But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

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I am sitting here in bed miserable. My mouth and ear are in pain from a toothache that won't go away after three days. I finally couldn’t take it anymore, and tonight I broke down. The funny thing is, the pain is not the only reason for my breakdown. You may ask yourself, "Okay, why is she getting so personal?” I would encourage you to hold on for a bit. I have something important to say. I will try to put it into words.

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One of the tragic events of recent Amish history is the school shooting at West Nickel Mines School in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A man well known to the community took ten girls hostage; he shot eight of them and killed five before taking his own life. Wikipedia says “The emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation in the response of the Amish community was widely discussed in the national media.” And I would like to add it was not just national attention but worldwide attention. The complete forgiveness offered to the family of the shooter is a thing which still draws attention today. The Amish were so willing to do what was right and carried out total forgiveness settling an example for people everywhere of how we should relate to those around us; especially to those who have done us wrong.

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The sound of the steady beat of Betty’s hooves on the pavement mingle with the soft, rumbling din of the family buggy wheels. It’s a sound that is so much a part of who I am that it is like music in the background of my life, constantly reminding me of who I am and what I belong to: I am Amish, not by choice, but by birth. I was born into a family of twelve, and since my parents and grandparents were Amish, fate had already decided that I was destined to be Amish as well – like it or not.

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I always thought that I was doing well as a member of the Amish church, and that I was on the right road to Heaven. I believed that—even though I spent many hours smoking and drinking with my friends. One of my co-workers once told me that she was praying for me, and I wondered why. I thought that I had things all figured out. I was working hard and making lots of money, getting together with my friends after work, and going to church just to be seen. I did not realize it at the time, but I was trying hard to fill the void in my life and heart.

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The way to heaven is simple, yet narrow, and most won’t be going there, according to what Jesus said (Matthew 7:14). Even a whole lot of good, nice, religious people will miss eternal life—even though they think that they are good Christian people. See the parable of the ten virgins with lamps, for example (Matthew 25), or read when Jesus told about the many people who did good and wonderful works and called Jesus “Lord,” yet ended up eternally lost (Matthew 7:21-23).

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Good morning from gorgeous Kentucky! I have some things on my heart that I am excited to share with you! That being said, let's just dive right in. I have a lot of friends in a lot of different places, and I have listened to quite a few women. As you know, many of us women face similar issues. Many of us feel trapped in various circumstances beyond our control. The enemy loves to make women feel trapped and unfulfilled.

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Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come (John 16:13).

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Did you ever come to the realization that you didn’t like the direction your life was headed? Maybe you decided that you needed to change for the better, perhaps by getting rid of certain habits in your life or attending church. Whatever the case, you felt the need to straighten out your life. Perhaps recently you have realized you don’t like the way things are in your life, and you want to change. How successful have you been in this endeavor? Has it been frustrating? How does God look at your attempts? How good does God want you to live? Today we will find the answers for a life of true freedom, joy, and peace. So let us get on with it!

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As I was walking with Jesus, our hands were firmly gripped. We walked, talked, laughed, and cried together, And still there was the firm grip. Then, as years passed by, I let the world slip in a little at a time.

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And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly….He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night. Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him (John 13:27, 30-32).

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I will write this chapter in reflection of my life and ministry in the Old Order Amish church. This is how I and my peers perceived God to be in our growing up years; what we were taught and what we experienced as we came of age and then as we became leaders in the church and community ourselves.

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(V-7) … . which are saved hath saved usnowwe know And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God... Revelation 20:12Do you believe?Does it scare you when someone says to you: I got saved? The answer oftentimes is yes, and there are various reasons why. Here are some of them: Those who get saved leave the Amish. For that reason, many Amish people have associated those getting saved with excommunication and leaving the Amish church. To say I got saved, means that I can live any way I want to and still go to heaven. Getting saved and having assurance of my salvation means that I am filled with pride.

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WHERE IN THE BIBLE DID GOD GIVE SATAN DOMAIN OVER THE EARTH? If our answer is to be one of faith, we need to look at relevant verses in the Holy Bible, and then we need to believe those verses. On the sixth day of creation, after God created terrestrial (earth-based) animal life, Genesis 1:26-28 says: “[26] And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. [27] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [28] And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

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What is the definition of the word ‘legalism’? Legalism refers to a doctrine whereby salvation is gained by good works rather than faith. It can mean that you are under the law instead of God’s grace for justification. To be justified means to be made right with God.

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The Lord highlighted these verses (Isaiah 51:11-16) to me recently, and with good reason. I have been afraid of what people will do to me. People! HE is my Maker. He set the foundations of the earth in place. He is the One I should fear, and not mere mortals. Now, I'm not talking about being afraid that someone is going to hurt me, I'm talking about how blind we as humans can be to the thoughts and feelings of others. The interesting thing is that as we focus on how we feel as we are being unjustly treated, our anger and fear causes us to mistreat them, and we are completely blind to it.

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