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Scripture Read: Deut. 29:14-21 "Now not with you alone am I making this covenant and this oath,  [15] but both with those who stand here with us today in the presence of the LORD our God and with those who are not with us here today  [16] (for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the midst of the nations through which you passed.  [17] "Moreover, you have seen their abominations and their idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold, which they had with them);  [18] lest there shall be among you a man or woman, or family or tribe, whose heart turns away today from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of those nations; lest there shall be among you a root bearing poisonous fruit and wormwood.  [19] "And it shall be when he hears the words of this curse, that he will boast, saying, 'I have peace though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart in order to destroy the watered land with the dry.'  [20] "The LORD shall never be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and His jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.  [21] "Then the LORD will single him out for adversity from all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant which are written in this book of the law. 

Application: There appears to be a peace that is not a peace. Circumstances surrounding us are ...

Scripture Read: Genesis 15:13-15 And God said to Abram, "Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years.  [14] "But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve; and afterward they will come out with many possessions.  [15] "And as for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. 

Application: Abram could die in peace – even though he knew the future was not good for his people. How is this? Abram was able to fully ...

Scripture Read: Hosea 2:21 "And it will come about in that day that I will respond," declares the LORD. "I will respond to the heavens, and they will respond to the earth, [22] And the earth will respond to the grain, to the new wine, and to the oil, And they will respond to Jezreel.  [23] "And I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, And I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they will say, 'Thou art my God!' "

Application: The chain reaction is what catches my mind here. I realize this is not ...

        "Catechesis is an education in the faith of children, young people, and adults which includes especially the teaching of Christian doctrine imparted, generally speaking, in an organic and systematic way, with a view to initiating the hearers into the fullness of Christian life."   MK 16:20

        Quite early on, the name catechesis was given to the totality of the Church's efforts to make disciples, to help men believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that believing they might have life in his name, and to educate and instruct them in this life, thus building up the body of Christ.  Mt 28:18-20

Scripture Read: Hosea 2: [8] "For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine, and the oil,  And lavished on her silver and gold,  Which they used for Baal.  [9] "Therefore, I will take back My grain at harvest time  And My new wine in its season. I will also take away My wool and My flax  Given to cover her nakedness.   [10] "And then I will uncover her lewdness  In the sight of her lovers, And no one will rescue her out of My hand.   [11] "I will also put an end to all her gaiety, Her feasts, her new moons, her sabbaths, And all her festal assemblies.  [12] "And I will destroy her vines and fig trees, Of which she said, 'These are my wages  Which my lovers have given me.'  And I will make them a forest, And the beasts of the field will devour them.  [13] "And I will punish her for the days of the Baals  When she used to offer sacrifices to them  And adorn herself with her earrings and jewelry, And follow her lovers, so that she forgot Me," declares the LORD.

Application: This is a powerful concept. How much of what God has lavished on me have I used to serve other god’s. My talents and gifts used ...