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During the testimonial period of...

Illustration
Fourth Sunday in Lent - C
Isaiah 12:1-6
During the testimonial period of the worship service, the old man gingerly raised himself on a small wooden cane. "Want to say this morning that God has blessed me in a mighty way. Although I've had some difficult times, I can still say there is a song in my heart. It's been very lonely without my wife. We had been married 55 years. They were good years and I loved her very much. She was truly the apple of my eye, but I praise God this morning for having some movement in my bones. "We often praise God when things are going good. It's easy to praise God when things are well with us.
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Object: The object of the lesson is a gesture you will teach the children.

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Jesus warned against with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich towards God. Through our worship today let us pledge ourselves to seek our treasure only in God.

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Jesus, sometimes we envy others because of all they possess.
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Jesus, sometimes we desire all that money can buy.
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For he satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things.... Let those who are wise give heed to these things, and consider the steadfast love of the Lord.
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How do you focus on something unseen? How can we set our minds on that which we can't touch, or taste, or verify scientifically? Most practical people want proof. Abstract propositions are difficult to get our arms around, especially if they are from another time and place.
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This story begins with gift -- with blessed gift -- with miraculous, blessed giftedness. And I will even tell you now the theme of the story: if you keep your eye on the giftedness of everything, then you yourself can be a gift, you can be a giver, rather than a hoarder.
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" 'It was I who taught Ephraim how to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them' (11:3). They did not know me. Do you?

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