Friday, January 31, 2014

Banana Pudding - Michelle Wiles


Banana Pudding

Ingredients
6 Bananas

1 large box Vanilla Instant Pudding

1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 large tub of Cool Whip

3 cups of whole milk

8 ounces of sour cream

1 box of Vanilla Wafers 

Directions
Mix pudding and whole milk.

Add Sweetened Condensed Milk and fold in Cool Whip and sour cream.

In a bowl, layer bananas and vanilla wafers.

Pour pudding on top. 

Refrigerate. 
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Trusting God's Deliverance - Martin Wiles

(All material is original to the author with the exception of songs and activities which have been borrowed from various sources. All studies are free for public use.)

Theme: Trusting in God
Today’s Lesson: Trusting God’s Deliverance
Scripture Reference: Exodus 7-11    
Memory Verse: Exodus 3:7
(Compiled and written by Martin W. Wiles)

Objective:
Children will learn about God delivering his people from Egyptian slavery where they had been for 400 years. God calls a man named Moses to call down plagues on the Egyptians so they will let the people go.


Say
We are continuing our theme: Trusting in God. We will study various people and stories from the Old Testament that teach us how we can always trust God to do what he says. Today’s story is about Moses, a Hebrew who had been rescued as a baby and who grew up in the king of Egypt’s palace. When he was older, he saw that the Egyptians were treating his people very badly. They even made them slaves. Through Moses, God would send a number of plagues that would finally convince the king of Egypt to let the slaves go.


Say:
(Display the following verse where the children can easily see it.) Let’s say our memory verse together. I have heard their cries for deliverance. Exodus 3:7 NLT


Icebreaker Questions:
Have you ever needed someone to deliver or rescue you?

What are some ways firemen may rescue people?

What are some ways a lifeguard may rescue someone?


Bible Story Time:
Reflection: Do you think we can depend on God to rescue us? In what ways might God be like the fireman or lifeguard?

You may remember how God saved Moses when he was a baby. The king of Egypt had given a command to kill all the Hebrew baby boys. He was afraid the people would multiply into a large number of people and might join the Egyptians’ enemies when they went to war. Moses’ mother hid him in a basket, but the king’s daughter found him and adopted him as her son. When he was older, Moses saw an Egyptian beating one of his friends. Moses fought the Egyptian and killed him. When the king heard about this, he placed a death sentence on Moses. Moses ran off to another area and eventually married the daughter of a woman who lived there.

Forty years passed, and Moses had become a shepherd tending to the sheep that belonged to his wife’s father. One day, he took his sheep into the wilderness near Mt. Sinai—the place where God would later give him the Ten Commandments. As Moses was caring for the sheep, he saw a startling site—a bush on fire but not burning up. As he drew closer to see how this was possible, a voice said to him, “Moses! Moses! Do not come any closer. Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground.” Then God told Moses who he was. He was the same God his ancestors had worshiped. He also told Moses he had a job for him. Moses was to go to the king and demand that he let the slaves—his people, go.

Moses was afraid to appear before the king. Moses was afraid he wouldn’t listen to him or even that he would kill him. After all, he had killed an Egyptian. Sure enough, the king wanted to know what god had sent him and why he should listen to him. After all, the Egyptians worshiped many gods, not just one as Moses did.

The Egyptians made the slaves’ lives miserable. They treated them very badly, making them do all manner of things against their will. God had plans for his people, and he was going to make the king change his mind about delivering them. As Moses imagined, however, the king said he wasn’t going to listen to him or his God. And he wasn’t going to let the slaves go either.

Reflection: Do you think God is more powerful than any other person or thing? What are our responsibilities in helping God to delivers us?

God was going to show the king that he was more powerful than any of the gods he worshiped and also that he needed to let the slaves go. The way God convinced him—and eventually delivered his people, was through a series of 10 plagues.

The Nile River was very important to the Egyptians, so the first thing God did was turn their water into blood. Now they couldn’t use it, and they had to have water to live. Also, all the fish died, and this made the river smell terribly. The king told Moses he would let the people go if he would ask God to make the water pure again, but when God cleansed the water, the king changed his mind.

The next plague was frogs, and they were all over the place. When God removed the frogs, he sent gnats. After the gnats came the flies. Then God caused their livestock to die. Next, he sent sores all over the people’s bodies. Then came a terrible hailstorm. Following this came a terrible swarm of locust. They ate up all the plants and fruit that the hail hadn’t destroyed. God then sent three days of darkness.

Each time God sent a plague, the king would tell Moses he’d let the people go if he would convince his God to stop the plague. Moses would pray to God, God would stop the plague, but the king would change his mind. God was going to have to do something that he didn’t want to do to get the king to let the people go.

The last plague was the death of all of the Egyptians’ first born sons and animals. God told his people to put blood on the side of and above their door frames. When the death angel passed through the land, he would pass over those houses, and their sons and animals would be spared.

Sure enough, when the Egyptians woke up the next morning, there were dead animals and children in every person’s house. They cried as they never had before. The king knew why this had happened. He called Moses and told him to get the people out of his land. God delivered the slaves because they were his people. They loved him and served him while the Egyptians did not.

God’s promise to deliver his people can still be trusted today. When we love and serve God, he will deliver us. We don’t have to be afraid of people who might want to harm us or things that might do the same. God expects us to be careful, but he promises to protect us from those things we can’t protect ourselves from. God also promises to deliver us from Satan’s temptations. He says he won’t allow the temptation to be so strong that he can’t help us resist it.

Activity Time:
TRUST WALK
The teacher will lead the children on a TRUST WALK. Along the way, say such things as, "Everyone sit on one of these chairs. Do you TRUST it to hold you up?" Or "Do you TRUST this door to open and let you through?" or "Do you TRUST this refrigerator to keep your drinks cold?" or "Stand here in one spot. Do you TRUST your legs to hold you up?" Ideas for this can be MANY. Then have children sit down on the floor and talk about things we can TRUST God to do every day in our lives—especially the things we can trust him to deliver us from.

Transition:
God delivered Moses and the Hebrew slaves from those who didn’t believe in their God and who were being mean to them.  

Song:  




Activity Time:

Read the story of the ten plagues and let children complete the Moses and the Ten Plagues worksheet.

Wrap Up:
Let each child tell one thing they learned about God’s deliverance from the story of the plagues God sent against the Egyptians.     

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The Power of Forgiveness by Martin Wiles

He possessed power beyond his imagination, but one thing kept him from realizing what lay within.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t…” I softly said.

“It’s a little late for that now,” he responded. 

And with that what began as a good friendship degenerated into a cold shoulder.

I was his pastor; I had disappointed him. He once visited with me…but not anymore. He supported my every decision and assisted in any way he could…but not now. He was my greatest fan…until one of his relatives died and I didn’t respond in the manner he thought I should have. He was right…I was wrong. I apologized, but he wouldn’t accept it. A few years later he died. I remained…unforgiven.

Jesus must have known his followers would struggle with forgiveness, so he tied it to ours. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:26 NKJV)

Pride, stubbornness, anger, and a spirit of rebellion can all keep me from forgiving those who wrong me. Only with a complete understanding of what Christ has done for me can I find it in my heart to restore relationships through the act of forgiveness.

Forgiving those who hurt me demonstrates I understand Christ’s forgiveness. He forgave me while I was still a sinner…still hurting him. And he continues to forgive even when I periodically fail him through sinful acts.

My forgiveness of others should also be immediate. This is extremely difficult when the slice of the hurt is deep. But just because I say “I forgive you” immediately doesn’t mean I won’t have to shout it again later…and perhaps more than once. Deep wounds take time to heal. 

Forgiveness reflects the nature of the One we claim to love and obey. No matter the intensity of the hurt, God can give you strength to forgive so emotional healing can be experienced.

Prayer: Dear God, remind us how much You have forgiven us so we can forgive others in the same way You do us. 

Martin N MichelleHelp spread the encouragement by sharing this site with a friend.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Trusting God’s Power - Martin Wiles

(All material is original to the author with the exception of songs and activities which have been borrowed from various sources. All studies are free for public use.)


Theme: Trusting in God
Today’s Lesson: Trusting God’s Power
Scripture Reference: Joshua 6    
Memory Verse: Joshua 1:9
(Compiled and written by Martin W. Wiles)

Objective:
Children will learn about God assisting Joshua and the Israelite army in defeating the city of Jericho—their first stop in conquering the Promised Land.


Say
We are continuing our theme: Trusting in God. We will study various people and stories from the Old Testament that teach us how we can always trust God to do what he says. Today’s story is about Joshua defeating the city of Jericho. God chose Joshua to take over after Moses died. Remember Moses is the one who led God’s people out of Egyptian slavery. Moses died before ever entering the Promised Land because he had disobeyed God. Joshua became the new leader.


Say:
(Display the following verse where the children can easily see it.) Let’s say our memory verse together. Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT


Icebreaker Questions:
Have you ever needed someone to help you do something that you couldn’t do by yourself?

What are some sources of power that people depend on?

What are some things we discover when the power goes out?

Activity Time:
Give the children paper and crayons. Tell them to draw pictures of things only God could have made or created. Ask children what superheroes they have? Then take some time to explain the difference between God and their superheroes.

Bible Story Time:
Reflection: Name one thing God can do that no one else can do. Why do you think he can do this?

After leaving Egyptian slavery, God’s people wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. God made them do this because they disobeyed him when he brought them to the borders of the Promised Land the first time. They sent spies into the land, and the spies brought back a discouraging report. Ten of the 12 spies said there was no way they could conquer the land. There were giants in the land, and the cities had high walls around them. Because they disobeyed, God made them wander in the wilderness until all those who disobeyed him died.

Moses also disobeyed God in the wilderness, so when the 40 years were over and it was time for them to try again, God told Moses he couldn’t go in. He would die, and Joshua—one of the spies who said they could take the land the first time—would lead the people into the Promised Land.

After Joshua led all the people across the Jordan River, the first city they had to conquer was Jericho. Jericho was one of the oldest cities in the world and had been built thousands of years before Joshua was even born. In some places, its walls were 25 feet high and 20 feet thick. Soldiers would stand on top of the walls and be able to see for miles and miles. The people of the land thought Jericho could not be conquered by anyone.

Reflection: How do you think the people felt when they saw this tremendous city? How do you think the people in Jericho felt when they saw the large army?

The people didn’t know how God was going to help them conquer this city. When they found out, they may have even thought their God was a little crazy. What God told them to do didn’t make any sense. The entire army was to walk around the city once a day for six days. No one was to say anything, and no sounds were to be made with any of their war instruments, such as the ram’s horn.

When the seventh day came, however, the people were to do something different. On this day, they were to march around the city seven times while the priests blew the war horns. After the seventh time around, the priests were to make one loud and long blow on the horns. When the people heard this, they were to shout. The people followed God’s direction, and when they shouted, the walls around the city fell down. The only part that didn’t fall was where Rahab lived. When Joshua sent spies into the land to spy it out and make a battle plan, she hid them from the people in the city who would have killed them. The spies promised her she would be protected when they conquered the city, and they kept their promise.

Reflection: Even though God told them what would happen, do you think the people were still surprised at God’s power when the walls fell?

Our God is a powerful God. There is no person or thing that’s more powerful than he is. This means he can give us power over things that frighten us. He can help us when we seem outnumbered. He can protect us from danger and help us when we can’t help ourselves. He is able to provide everything we need to live and do his will. With God on your side, there is nothing you cannot do. Whatever he asks you to do, he will give you the power to do.

Transition:
God gave Joshua and the Israelites power to conquer the city of Jericho so they could move in and take the land he had promised them.

Song:  

Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho

Activity Time:

Let children color the Joshua and the Walls of Jericho coloring page and the Joshua Word Search.

Wrap Up:

Let each child tell one thing they learned about God’s power from the story of Joshua and the walls of Jericho.    

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Life through a Keyhole by Martin Wiles

Looking through a door peephole only gives limited sight; looking through old keyholes did the same. 

Modern doors with locks have keyholes, but you can’t see anything through them. When I was growing up you could. Keyholes in doors constructed years ago didn’t have keyholes in the door knob itself but rather below it in a totally separate mechanism. Skeleton keys were used to open and lock the door—if the homeowner could find them. If a mischievous child wanted to spy on his parents or siblings, all he had to do was look through the keyhole. Like a door peephole, however, the keyhole provided only a limited view. The one peeping could only glimpse what was directly in front of them along with very limited vision of peripheral areas. 

When trials and troubles overwhelm me, I try to remember I’m only looking at life through a keyhole. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (II Corinthians 4:18 NLT)

God has the advantage of seeing my life—and everyone else’s from the initiation of time, from beginning to end. I don’t have that privilege. What seems like a terrible thing to me may be viewed differently by my sovereign Sustainer. I only have keyhole vision; he has an outlook on the entire schemata. 

Looking at life through the keyhole reminds me I serve a big God whose unconditional love and concern for me never grows cold. The bad he allows he will reinvent for my benefit, and what he directly sends will always have my spiritual betterment in mind. 

Are difficulties engulfing you? Remember you’re only looking at life through a keyhole. Trust the One who can see it all.

Prayer: Remind us, merciful Father, that You control our life events and will not allow anything into our years on earth that doesn’t better prepare us for our eternity with You. 

Martin N MichelleHelp spread the encouragement by sharing this site with a friend.

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Defined Not Labeled by Martin Wiles

I’ve been labeled a few times in my life; fortunately, none of them stuck. 

Growing up, I was labeled a PK (Preacher’s Kid). The label was accurate because my father was a preacher, but the label was designed to speak more than about whom I was. PK’s are usually considered bad kids, and I lived up to the tag. Why I felt the need to act badly, I’m not sure. Perhaps because I wanted to demonstrate that I didn’t have to be good just because my father was a pastor.
  
And of course, there are other labels people might attempt to paste on others: porn addict, alcoholic, druggie, abuser, lawyer, doctor, teacher, slut, etc. But who I am is described by what Christ did in my behalf. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (I Peter 1:19 NLT)

While others may label me because of what I presently do or have done in the past, God defines me by what his Son has completed on the cross. I’m a blood-bought child of God first and then other things secondly. I’m a child of God who happens to be a teacher and minister now but who lingered on the edge of alcoholism in the past. 

I am also a completely forgiven son of God whose sins will never be held against him again. I can never be held under condemnation now or in the future. Christ was condemned for me. All my past, present, and future sins were paid for on the cross.

So while others may attempt to label me by what I was or did in the past, God defines me by who I am now based on the work of his Son. And what God says is far superior to what others may say. Don’t let others label you because of your past mistakes. Be who you are in Christ.

Prayer: Thank You merciful God for making us new creations in Christ Jesus.  

Martin N MichelleHelp spread the encouragement by sharing this site with a friend.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Chosen Not Substituted by Martin Wiles

They weren’t what the doctor prescribed, but according to the pharmacist they accomplished the same results. 

Visiting the doctor isn’t my favorite activity. Maybe I’m afraid of what he might find…or charge for my visit…or that he will prescribe distasteful medicine. But when I’m feeling extremely blah and over-the-counter medicine hasn’t worked, I gladly generate the appointment. Often, however, when presenting my prescription to the pharmacist, I hear, “We don’t carry what your doctor prescribed, but we have substituted…” As long as it delivers the same punch, I’m okay with the replacement. But I wonder, “If the substitute is as good as what the doctor originally prescribed, why didn’t he prescribe that in the first place?”

Thankfully, there is no substitute involved in my relationship with Christ. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit. (John 15:16 NLT) 

Christ chose me because he had a purpose for me not because I emerged from his twiddling thumbs on one of his more boring days. My birth was planned…not an accident resulting from other’s poor choices. But I must discover his specific purpose. When I do, I’ll know because my life will take on a sense of fulfillment.

I was chosen because God had a destiny for me in mind. I’m not aimlessly wandering toward the end of my life with nothing to anticipate thereafter. A place in heaven is presently being prepared. A place where I will enjoy the presence of God and the company of saints from all ages. 

God has also chosen me to take a journey with him. Accepting his forgiveness for my sins and nothing more is not his plan. He wants me to grow in Christ likeness through Spirit-led concentrated efforts that will form me into a little Jesus. 

Are you enjoying the results of being chosen by Christ?

Prayer: Thank You Father for selecting us as Your own. Guide us to fulfill the destiny and plan You have in mind.

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Monday, January 27, 2014

Taco Salad by Michelle Wiles


Ingredients
1 POUND GROUND BEEF

1 HEAD LETTUCE

2 CUPS SHREDDED CHEESE

2 TOMATOES (DICED)

1 SMALL BOTTLE CATALINA DRESSING
     
1 LARGE BAG DORITOS

1 ENVELOPE TACO SEASONING

Directions
COOK GROUND BEEF AND DRAIN.

ADD TACO SEASONING AND COOK AS DIRECTED. SET ASIDE.

CHOP LETTUCE AND PLACE IN A LARGE BOWL.

ADD TOMATOES, CHEESE, AND MEAT. MIX TOGETHER.

ADD CATALINA DRESSING AND COVER THOROUGHLY.

WHEN READY TO SERVE, CRUSH LARGE BAG OF DORITOS AND MIX IN THE SALAD.

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Hot Cocoa by Michelle Wiles


Ingredients
1/4 cup of cocoa

1/2 cup of sugar

1/3 cup of water

1 Teaspoon of vanilla

3 cups of milk

Directions
Mix cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and water in a saucepan.

Bring to a boil. Let boil for 2 minutes.

Reduce heat to medium low.

Slowly add milk.

Serve piping hot. 

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Grace And Responsibility by Martin Wiles

Romans 13:1-10
Introduction:
A. Have there ever been laws you didn’t agree with and were therefore tempted to disobey?

B. Have you ever disagreed with decisions our government made?

C. I think mainly of the political upheaval of the sixties and seventies in our country. 

D. An enormous number of Americans were opposed to our involvement in Vietnam. Many soldiers who came home received no hero’s welcome as they had done in previous wars. 

E. Draft dodgers were prevalent, many going to Canada to escape the draft. 

F. Disgust with and disobedience to the government was rife. 

G. We can see this currently happening in other countries.

H. Which brings us to some questions for reflection:
1. Is it ever permissible to disobey government authorities?
2. Is it permissible to protest what we feel is wrong?
3. Should we carry signs in front of abortion clinics?
4. Should we kill abortion doctors?
5. Should we protest at GI funerals because we don’t agree with our involvement in a particular war?
6. Do the means always justify the ends?

I. In this chapter-which is not the only place in Scripture that addresses this, Paul gives some instructions on our obligation and responsibility to government authorities.

J. We may not like what he says but he does so under the guidance of God’s Spirit, so this makes us responsible for listening and obeying.

I. Grace And Obeying The Government (vv. 1-7)
A. The Command-Obey the government.
1. While Paul does not deal with any exceptions here, there are other examples we can appeal to that remind us our obedience to God must take precedence over our obedience to the government when the two conflict. 
2. When Peter and the apostles were arrested for preaching about Jesus and commanded not to do so again, they replied; We must obey God rather than human authority. (Acts 5:29)

B. Three popular interpretations of how we obey the command.
1. Government is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with it as possible. This doesn’t mean we should not be good citizens but working for the government, voting and serving in the military should be avoided.
2. God has given government authority in certain areas and the church authority in certain areas and they should not be confused. This may apply to our philosophy and law regarding separation of church and state. Our responsibility is to be obedient to both. Church and government do not work together but rather complement each other. In considering this position, it would do us well to investigate the background of the separation of church and state idea. Regardless of what some reinterpreters of history might maintain, most of the founders of our country were religious individuals-though some of their beliefs were certainly different from ours. It was never in their mind that government should have no involvement in religion or be opposed to it. Yet this is the point we have currently reached. The background was set against the church in England or anywhere else who taxed citizens to support that church whether they were associated with it or not. Our founders wanted freedom of religion not freedom from religion. We have confused this. At the same time, freedom of religion involves the right to be free from religious coercion. It remains to be seen what all the ramifications of this will lead to in our country.
3. Believers should work to make the government better. Instead of a hands off policy with government, we need to be very involved in it. We can run for office or stump for those who represent Christian beliefs. We can also take Jesus’ words to heart and apply them in this area where he tells us to be salt and light.  
4. It is important to note that none of these views advocate rebellion against government authorities unless laws require us to disobey God’s laws. 

C. The reason for our obedience.
1. God is the one who established government.
2. Does this mean God established governments like that of Adolph Hitler? 
3. If we believe God is in total control, we would at least have to say that he could have prevented Hitler’s rise to power had he chosen to.
4. The why of why he allowed it is no different than the age old question of why God doesn’t prevent sin and its evils if he could. And there is really no adequate answer in all respects. We have to say that in some way-that we certainly don’t understand, it serves the overall purpose of God. 
5. I think rather than saying God establishes particular governments-because many are and have been very corrupt, we can say he establishes government-the institution.
6. This relieves God of actually authoring governments that kill, maim and reflect standards opposite of his.
7. That he could prevent them if he desired, however, keeps us in line with God’s control over all matters. As Paul says, All governments have been placed in power by God. 
8. So to disobey the government is to disobey God-unless of course the laws conflict with his. 

D. The purpose of government.
1. In a nutshell, government is designed by God to reward those who do good and punish those who do evil.
2. Of course, it is his plan as well that the laws made will reflect his standards.
3. This is why we have reason to disobey when they don’t. He is our highest authority and the one we are ultimately responsible to. 
4. It is certainly our responsibility to be involved to some degree in government. Voting is our responsibility and a major means by which we can be involved in having officials elected who represent God’s ideals.
5. Government also comforts us. When governments reflect God’s purpose, they protect those who are obeying and punish those who are disobeying. 
6. Instead of chaos, we have law enforcement to uphold laws of the government which protects us in the process.
7. Courts pass sentence on those who disregard the laws of the land. Fines are paid as a deterrent as well as jail time served.
8. When government upholds just standards, it places fear in people about disobeying. Having laws doesn’t prevent crime but it does prevent it from being as bad as it would be if there were no laws. 
9. It is similar to the fear instilled in children when they know mom and dad have house rules that if disobeyed will result in punishment. The rules serve as a deterrent. 
10. Letting people do whatever they want leads to anarchy and chaos. 
11. We have already studied the reason for this by studying the doctrine of sin. 
12. It is the sinful nature of humanity that leads them to steal, lie, cheat, murder, lust, covet, etc. 
13. Even if everyone in the world was a Christian, we would still need government because none of us is perfect in our attitudes, thoughts or actions. 
14. Perfect government will only be found in heaven.
15. Peaceful coexistence comes when people obey government authorities who have based their laws on the standards of God. 

E. Verse 5 gives us two reasons to obey the government: to avoid punishment and to keep a clear conscience.
1. Punishment we’ve already mentioned. How does obedience lead to a clear conscience? 
2. We have the satisfaction of knowing we are obeying God. 
3. Then Paul approaches the part we don’t like when he says Pay your taxes. 
4. We would probably be hard pressed to find anyone who thinks taxes are fair. There are too many of them and they are too high. 
5. Why do we have to pay taxes and how do they relate to our responsibility to obey the government.
6. Very simply, it is through the taxes that government can continue to function. It takes money to run government services. 
7. We may complain about the taxes but we do enjoy and benefit from government services. Think about such things as: fire department, rescue services, law enforcement, court services, road services, schools, and the list goes on. 
8. If we owe for services rendered, we are responsible for paying. 
9. Jesus taught the same when he said to give to Caesar what belongs to him and to God what belongs to him. (Matthew 17:24-27)
10. We are also to honor and respect government officials because they are representing something God has established.

II. Grace And Paying The Debt Of Love (vv. 8-10)
A. All debts must be paid except our debt of love.
1. We can never satisfy the debt of love we owe others.
2. This is based on the fact we can never repay God for his love toward us. 
3. Since we serve Christ by serving others, loving others becomes a continual debt we work toward paying off but realize we never will. 
4. God never stops loving us, and we must never stop loving others.
5. Paul maintains every commandment of God can be obeyed when we obey the command to love our neighbor as ourselves.
6. When we think about it, we can see the truth of this statement. 
7. Loving our neighbors takes the focus from us and puts it on others. When others become our concern we won’t do the things God forbids. 
8. Paul gives examples. We would not murder, lie, steal, covet or commit adultery against someone we truly loved. The two are mutually exclusive. 
9. But there is also another important point in the command. We love others as we love ourselves. Self love is not wrong. It must simply be conceived correctly. 
10. We can love ourselves because God loves us and has created us in his image. But it is not a selfish love. We love ourselves and God so we can adequately know how to love others. 
11. Even the person with low self esteem will usually eat, clothe themselves, exercise, and ensure they have a place to stay, avoid being cheated on or lied to and avoid injury.
12. When we love others, we will work to see they have the same needs met and we will avoid harming them in any way. 
13. Love always goes the extra mile. 

Conclusion:
A. Believers are responsible for obeying the governing authorities as long as doing so doesn’t conflict with obedience to God.

B. We should continually love others as God loves us never trying to pay off that debt of love. 

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