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1. HARMONY . . . we long for it
We
live
in
a
great
world.
In
spite
of
much
suffering
there
is
beauty,
design
and
order.
Without
these
life
would be impossible and chaotic.
God
made
the
universe.
God
also
made
us
to
be
very
special
with
the
ability
to
enjoy
a
meaningful
relationship
with
God
and
each
other.
God
wants
us
to
be
caretakers
of
the
great
world,
develop
it
and
use it for the benefit of all people.
God
governs
and
also
preserves
the
world
according
to
love,
justice,
truth
and
beauty
-
the
essence
of
God’s
character.
Jesus
Christ
has
been
given
sole
authority
over
the
whole
creation.
We
are
ultimately
responsible to Him.
In
different
ways,
we
all
search
for
security,
love
and
acceptance,
and
got
a
learn
can give them.
Note: the first book of the Bible expands on these principles.
Genesis chapters 1-3,
John
3:35-36
(NKJV)
35
The
Father
loves
the
Son,
and
has
given
all
things
into
His
hand.
36
He
who
believes
in
the
Son
has
everlasting
life;
and
he
who
does
not
believe
the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Colossians
1:16
(NKJV)
16
For
by
Him
all
things
were
created
that
are
in
heaven
and
that
are
on
earth,
visible
and
invisible,
whether
thrones
or
dominions
or
principalities
or
powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
2. SEPARATION . . . it is real
We
have
all
experienced
the
pain
of
separation
through
broken
and
damaged
relationships.
When
love and trust is rejected, separation takes place.
When
we
reject
God’s
love
and
care
and
ignore
God’s
principles
for
life,
we
rebel
against
God
our
maker
and
provider.
This
is
what
happened
to
the
beautiful
relationship
which
existed
between
God
and the people.
Separation
from
God
leads
to
confusion
and
disharmony
in
all
relationships.
Apart
from
God
we
cannot create a better society or manage our own lives.
Our
rebellion,
like
a
disease
has
destructive
consequences
-
fear
.
.
.
injustice
.
.
.hate . . .wars . . .death . . .falsehood . . .abuse of others.
Separation
from
God
brings
death
which
is
both
physical
and
spiritual.
Unless
harmony is restored it may lead to our eternal separation.
But there is good news! Separation does not have to be final.
Note:
Romans
1:18-32
(NKJV)
18
For
the
wrath
of
God
is
revealed
from
heaven
against
all
ungodliness
and
unrighteousness
of
men,
who
suppress
the
truth
in
unrighteousness,
19
because
what
may
be
known
of
God
is
manifest
in
them,
for
God
has
shown
it
to
them.
20
For
since
the
creation
of
the
world
His
invisible
attributes
are
clearly
seen,
being
understood
by
the
things
that
are
made,
even
His
eternal
power
and
Godhead,
so
that
they
are
without
excuse,
21
because,
although
they
knew
God,
they
did
not
glorify
Him
as
God,
nor
were
thankful,
but
became
futile
in
their
thoughts,
and
their
foolish
hearts
were
darkened.
22
Professing
to
be
wise,
they
became
fools,
23
and
changed
the
glory
of
the
incorruptible
God
into
an
image
made
like
corruptible
man--
and
birds
and
four-footed
animals
and
creeping
things.
24
Therefore
God
also
gave
them
up
to
uncleanness,
in
the
lusts
of
their
hearts,
to
dishonor
their
bodies
among
themselves,
25
who
exchanged
the
truth
of
God
for
the
lie,
and
worshiped
and
served
the
creature
rather
than
the
Creator,
who
is
blessed
forever.
Amen.
26
For
this
reason
God
gave
them
up
to
vile
passions.
For
even
their
women
exchanged
the
natural
use
for
what
is
against
nature.
27
Likewise
also
the
men,
leaving
the
natural
use
of
the
woman,
burned
in
their
lust
for
one
another,
men
with
men
committing
what
is
shameful,
and
receiving
in
themselves
the
penalty
of
their
error
which
was
due.
28
And
even
as
they
did
not
like
to
retain
God
in
their
knowledge,
God
gave
them
over
to
a
debased
mind,
to
do
those
things
which
are
not
fitting;
29
being
filled
with
all
unrighteousness,
sexual
immorality,
wickedness,
covetousness,
maliciousness;
full
of
envy,
murder,
strife,
deceit,
evil-mindedness;
they
are
whisperers,
30
backbiters,
haters
of
God,
violent,
proud,
boasters,
inventors
of
evil
things,
disobedient
to
parents,
31
undiscerning,
untrustworthy,
unloving,
unforgiving,
unmerciful;
32
who,
knowing
the
righteous
judgment
of
God,
that
those
who
practice
such
things
are
deserving
of
death,
not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
2
Timothy
3:1-9
(NKJV)
1
But
know
this,
that
in
the
last
days
perilous
times
will
come:
2
For
men
will
be
lovers
of
themselves,
lovers
of
money,
boasters,
proud,
blasphemers,
disobedient
to
parents,
unthankful,
unholy,
3
unloving,
unforgiving,
slanderers,
without
self-control,
brutal,
despisers
of
good,
4
traitors,
headstrong,
haughty,
lovers
of
pleasure
rather
than
lovers
of
God,
5
having
a
form
of
godliness
but
denying
its
power.
And
from
such
people
turn
away!
6
For
of
this
sort
are
those
who
creep
into
households
and
make
captives
of
gullible
women
loaded
down
with
sins,
led
away
by
various
lusts,
7
always
learning
and
never
able
to
come
to
the
knowledge
of
the
truth.
8
Now
as
Jannes
and
Jambres
resisted
Moses,
so
do
these
also
resist
the
truth:
men
of
corrupt
minds,
disapproved
concerning
the
faith;
9
but
they
will
progress
no
further,
for
their
folly
will
be
manifest to all, as theirs also was.
3. RESTLESSNESS . . . in search of meaning
Our
modern
world
can
boast
of
many
achievements
but
these
have
not
made
the
quality
of
life
better
or
more
secure.
The
fact
is
that
we
will
continue
to
be
restless
until we find our rest in God.
Because
we
were
made
to
live
in
harmony
with
God,
there
is
in
every
person
a
God
-shaped
vacuum,
which
only God can fill. So, we keep searching!
We
live
in
the
hope
that
material
things
or
invented
philosophies
or
religions
can
fill
this
emptiness.
Our
rebellious
nature
causes
us
to
reject God and turn to substitute.
Such
things
like
education,
sport,
work,
use
of
drugs,
music,
money,
sex
or
fame
cannot
substitute
for
experiencing
God’s
love
and
acceptance.
Some
even
try
to
find
help
by
dabbling
in
the
daemon
and
spirit
world.
Without
God’s
blessing
nothing
really satisfies.
Here
is
the
GOOD
NEWS
--
God
has
acted
in
history
and
provided
Jesus
Christ
fill
this emptiness.
Note:
Read what Jesus says in Matthew 11:28; Luke 12:13-21; and 15:11-32.
4. GOD’S ACTION . . . is Jesus
God
is
in
control
even
though
it
may
seem
that
evil
triumphs in the short-term.
Our
rebellion
has
attacked
God’s
honour
and
character.
The
gliders
responded
with
a
plan
that
upholds
God’s
honour,
shows
love
to
undeserving
people
and
ultimately puts an end to all rebellion in the world.
God’s
love
and
mercy
by
providing
Jesus
Christ.
Through
His
suffering
and
death
on
the
cross
Jesus
took
the
punishment
that
we
rightly
deserve
for
sin.
Those
who
ask
forgiveness
and
put
their
trust
in
Jesus
-
will
be
forgiven
and
be
brought
into
a
personal
relationship
with God! All this is a free gift and not the result of anything we can do.
Only
because
of
what
Jesus
did
can
we
now
have
peace
with
God.
He
alone
can
heal
our
hearts,
and
our
laws
and
make
the
crooked
straight.
He
stands
by
us
in
our
needs. He can give us hope and joy!
Note:
Titus
3:4-8
(NKJV)
4
But
when
the
kindness
and
the
love
of
God
our
Savior
toward
man
appeared,
5
not
by
works
of
righteousness
which
we
have
done,
but
according
to
His
mercy
He
saved
us,
through
the
washing
of
regeneration
and
renewing
of
the
Holy
Spirit,
6
whom
He
poured
out
on
us
abundantly
through
Jesus
Christ
our
Savior,
7
that
having
been
justified
by
His
grace
we
should
become
heirs
according
to
the
hope
of
eternal
life.
8
This
is
a
faithful
saying,
and
these
things
I
want
you
to
affirm
constantly,
that
those
who
have
believed
in
God
should
be
careful
to
maintain
good
works.
These
things are good and profitable to men.
Revelation
21:1-4
(NKJV)
1
Now
I
saw
a
new
heaven
and
a
new
earth,
for
the
first
heaven
and
the
first
earth
had
passed
away.
Also
there
was
no
more
sea.
2
Then
I,
John,
saw
the
holy
city,
New
Jerusalem,
coming
down
out
of
heaven
from
God,
prepared
as
a
bride
adorned
for
her
husband.
3
And
I
heard
a
loud
voice
from
heaven
saying,
"Behold,
the
tabernacle
of
God
is
with
men,
and
He
will
dwell
with
them,
and
they
shall
be
His
people.
God
Himself
will
be
with
them
and
be
their
God.
4
And
God
will
wipe
away
every
tear
from
their
eyes;
there
shall
be
no
more
death,
nor
sorrow,
nor
crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
5. JESUS . . . opens a NEW WAY of LIVING
God
invites
us
to
turn
to
Jesus
Christ
who
is
open
a
New
Way of Living for us!
When
Jesus
rose
from
the
dead
he
showed
His
victory
over
sin,
death
and
Satan’s
power.
Because
He
is
alive
today, Jesus is:
THE WAY
back
to
God!
Giving
us
a
new
direction
and
destiny
in
our
journey
through life.
THE TRUTH
so
that
we
can
trust
His
word,
and
have
a
reliable
basis
for
our
beliefs,
values and behaviour.
THE LIFE
enabling
us
to
enjoy
it
and
reach
our
full
potential,
in
harmony
with
God forever.
God
promises
the
help
and
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
to
all
who
sincerely
search,
turn
from
a
rebellion,
ask
forgiveness,
and
take
on
a
responsible
way
of
living
in
the
world which God created and keeps in existence.
Note:
John
8:12,
32,
36
(NKJV)
12
Then
Jesus
spoke
to
them
again,
saying,
"I
am
the
light
of
the
world.
He
who
follows
Me
shall
not
walk
in
darkness,
but
have
the
light
of
life."
.
.
.
32
And
you
shall
know
the
truth,
and
the
truth
shall
make
you
free."
.
.
.
36
Therefore
if
the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.
John
4:6,
23-26
(NKJV)
Now
Jacob's
well
was
there.
Jesus
therefore,
being
wearied
from
His
journey,
sat
thus
by
the
well.
It
was
about
the
sixth
hour.
.
.
23
But
the
hour
is
coming,
and
now
is,
when
the
true
worshipers
will
worship
the
Father
in
spirit
and
truth;
for
the
Father
is
seeking
such
to
worship
Him.
24
God
is
Spirit,
and
those
who
worship
Him
must
worship
in
spirit
and
truth."
25
The
woman
said
to
Him,
"I
know
that
Messiah
is
coming"
(who
is
called
Christ).
"When
He
comes,
He
will
tell
us
all
things."
26
Jesus
said
to her, "I who speak to you am
He."
Acts
17:27
(NKJV)
27
so
that
they
should
seek
the
Lord,
in
the
hope
that
they
might
grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;
6. THE INVITATION . . . to Join God’s family
“For
God
so
loved
the
world
that
he
gave
his
one
and
only
Son,
that
whoever
believes
in
him
shall
not
perish
but
have
eternal life!” John 3:16.
Millions
throughout
history
-
rich,
poor,
young
or
old,
free
or
oppressed
-
have
responded
to
Jesus
Christ
and
taken
their
place
in
God’s
worldwide
family
-
the
Christian
Church.
God’s
family
-
is
a
community
of
caring,
sharing,
growing,
discovering,
accepting
and
forgiving
people.
Jesus
Christ
is
enabling
God’s
family,
the
Church,
to
be
like
this.
Have
you
ever
seriously
considered
this
New
Way
of
Living
with
Jesus
Christ?
Why
not ask God to take you into His family?
Note:
Luke
9:23-25
(NKJV)
23
Then
He
said
to
them
all,
"If
anyone
desires
to
come
after
Me,
let
him
deny
himself,
and
take
up
his
cross
daily,
and
follow
Me.
24
For
whoever
desires
to
save
his
life
will
lose
it,
but
whoever
loses
his
life
for
My
sake
will
save
it.
25
For
what
profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?
John
11:25-26
(NKJV)
25
Jesus
said
to
her,
"I
am
the
resurrection
and
the
life.
He
who
believes
in
Me,
though
he
may
die,
he
shall
live.
26
And
whoever
lives
and
believes
in
Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
7. A HELPFUL PRAYER . . .
You
too,
may
respond
to
God
invitation,
by
talking
to
God in prayer, with words such as these:
“Lord
Jesus,
I
recognise
that
you
are
God
and
have
the
right
to
govern
my
life.
I
know
that
I
have
sinned
against
you
in
thought,
word
and
deed
-
sometimes
unconsciously, often deliberately.
Please
Lord
Jesus,
turn
me
from
my
rebellious
ways,
so
that
I
can
follow
your
Way
and
have
eternal
life.
I
believe
that
through
your
death
on
the cross you have forgiven me, loved me and accepted me!
May
my
hurts
and
scars
lead
me
closer
to
you.
Give
me
that
in
a
peace
and
joy
I
am
searching
for.
Please
guide
me
so
that
I
may
know
more
about
You,
and
learn
how
to live in Your world as a true member of Your family.”
Refer:
1
John
5:11-12
(NKJV)
11
And
this
is
the
testimony:
that
God
has
given
us
eternal
life,
and
this
life
is
in
His
Son.
12
He
who
has
the
Son
has
life;
he
who
does
not
have
the
Son of God does not have life.
Matthew
6:33
(NKJV)
33
But
seek
first
the
kingdom
of
God
and
His
righteousness,
and
all these things shall be added to you.
Hebrews
4:14-16
(NKJV)
14
Seeing
then
that
we
have
a
great
High
Priest
who
has
passed
through
the
heavens,
Jesus
the
Son
of
God,
let
us
hold
fast
our
confession.
15
For
we
do
not
have
a
High
Priest
who
cannot
sympathize
with
our
weaknesses,
but
was
in
all
points
tempted
as
we
are,
yet
without
sin.
16
Let
us
therefore
come
boldly
to
the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews
12:1-3
(NKJV)
1
Therefore
we
also,
since
we
are
surrounded
by
so
great
a
cloud
of
witnesses,
let
us
lay
aside
every
weight,
and
the
sin
which
so
easily
ensnares
us,
and
let
us
run
with
endurance
the
race
that
is
set
before
us,
2
looking
unto
Jesus,
the
author
and
finisher
of
our
faith,
who
for
the
joy
that
was
set
before
Him
endured
the
cross,
despising
the
shame,
and
has
sat
down
at
the
right
hand
of
the
throne
of
God.
3
For
consider
Him
who
endured
such
hostility
from
sinners
against
Himself,
lest
you
become weary and discouraged in your souls.
8. MY THANK YOU . . .
I
didn’t
know
you
cared
so
much
for
me
and
Your
world.
Thank you God!
My
ignorance
and
prejudices,
my
rebellion
and
my
unwillingness
to
be
open
to
Your
truth
kept
me
away
from
You too long!
You
have
shown
me
Your
real
character,
who
You
really
are
and a New Way to live - with the help of Jesus! Thank You Lord!
Help me to discover your promises to me as I read the Bible.
Through
Your
Holy
Spirit
let
me
be
thankful,
loving
and
helpful.
Teach
me
to
pray.
Thank you Lord!
May
your
kingdom
come
and
your
will
be
done
on
earth
both
in
my
life
and
the
world
around me.
Keep me from the evil one and bring me into your presence. I trust you Lord!
P.S. Thanks again.
Refer:
Romans
11:33-36
(NKJV)
33
Oh,
the
depth
of
the
riches
both
of
the
wisdom
and
knowledge
of
God!
How
unsearchable
are
His
judgments
and
His
ways
past
finding
out!
34
"For
who
has
known
the
mind
of
the
LORD?
Or
who
has
become
His
counselor?"
35
"Or
who
has
first
given
to
Him
And
it
shall
be
repaid
to
him?"
36
For
of
Him and through Him and to Him
are
all things, to whom
be
glory forever. Amen.
Matthew
6:9-15
(NKJV)
9
In
this
manner,
therefore,
pray:
Our
Father
in
heaven,
Hallowed
be
Your
name.
10
Your
kingdom
come.
Your
will
be
done
On
earth
as
it
is
in
heaven.
11
Give
us
this
day
our
daily
bread.
12
And
forgive
us
our
debts,
As
we
forgive
our
debtors.
13
And
do
not
lead
us
into
temptation,
But
deliver
us
from
the
evil
one.
For
Yours
is
the
kingdom
and
the
power
and
the
glory
forever.
Amen.
14
"For
if
you
forgive
men
their
trespasses,
your
heavenly
Father
will
also
forgive
you.
15
But
if
you
do
not
forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The following eight steps to a New Way of Living have
been adapted from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Bible
, P.O. Box 464 Penrith NSW: The World Home
Bible League, pp. 322 - 325.
Your Invitation