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February 21st, 2010 
Thou Shalt Not Live By Street Food Alone 
Luke 4:1-13
By Rev. David J. Pettitt

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Luke 4:1-13 [The Message]

Tested by the Devil
1-2 Now Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wild. For forty wilderness days and nights he was tested by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when the time was up he was hungry.
3 The Devil, playing on his hunger, gave the first test: "Since you’re God’s Son, command this stone to turn into a loaf of bread."

4 Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: "It takes more than bread to really live."

5-7 For the second test he led him up and spread out all the kingdoms of the earth on display at once. Then the Devil said, "They’re yours in all their splendor to serve your pleasure. I’m in charge of them all and can turn them over to whomever I wish. Worship me and they’re yours, the whole works."

8 Jesus refused, again backing his refusal with Deuteronomy: "Worship the Lord your God and only the Lord your God. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness."

9-11 For the third test the Devil took him to Jerusalem and put him on top of the Temple. He said, "If you are God’s Son, jump. It’s written, isn’t it, that ‘he has placed you in the care of angels to protect you; they will catch you; you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone’?"

12 "Yes," said Jesus, "and it’s also written, ‘Don’t you dare tempt the Lord your God.’"

13 That completed the testing. The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity. 

Footnotes:        
 

Scripture taken from the The Message^®. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

February 14th, 2010 
The Real Goal of Love is Freedom
2 Corinthians 3:12-18; 4:1-2
By Rev. David J. Pettitt

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2 Corinthians 3:12-18; 4:1-2 [New International Version]

12 Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. 13 We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away. 14 But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. 15 Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. 16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect^[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Treasures in Jars of Clay
1 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

. 

Footnotes:       
[a] Contemplate.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION^®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. The "NIV" and "New International Version" trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.

February 7th, 2010 
Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone – Luke 5:1-11
By Rev. David J. Pettitt

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Luke 5:1-11 [The Message]

Push Out into Deep Water
1-3 Once when he was standing on the shore of Lake Gennesaret, the crowd was pushing in on him to better hear the Word of God. He noticed two boats tied up. The fishermen had just left them and were out scrubbing their nets. He climbed into the boat that was Simon’s and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Sitting there, using the boat for a pulpit, he taught the crowd.
4When he finished teaching, he said to Simon, "Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch."

5-7 Simon said, "Master, we’ve been fishing hard all night and haven’t caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I’ll let out the nets." It was no sooner said than done—a huge haul of fish, straining the nets past capacity. They waved to their partners in the other boat to come help them. They filled both boats, nearly swamping them with the catch.

8-10 Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell to his knees before Jesus. "Master, leave. I’m a sinner and can’t handle this holiness. Leave me to myself." When they pulled in that catch of fish, awe overwhelmed Simon and everyone with him. It was the same with James and John, Zebedee’s sons, coworkers with Simon.

10-11 Jesus said to Simon, "There is nothing to fear. From now on you’ll be fishing for men and women." They pulled their boats up on the beach, left them, nets and all, and followed him. 

Footnotes:       
 

Scripture taken from the The Message^®. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

January 31st, 2010 
Did You Mean…? – Jeremiah 1:5-10
By Rev. David J. Pettitt

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Jeremiah 1:5-10 [The Message]

5 "Before I shaped you in the womb, I knew all about you.
Before you saw the light of day, I had holy plans for you: A prophet to the nations—  that’s what I had in mind for you."

6 But I said, "Hold it, Master God! Look at me. I don’t know anything. I’m only a boy!"

7-8 God told me, "Don’t say, ‘I’m only a boy.’ 
I’ll tell you where to go and you’ll go there.
I’ll tell you what to say and you’ll say it. 
Don’t be afraid of a soul. I’ll be right there, looking after you." 
God’s Decree.

9-10 God reached out, touched my mouth, and said, 
"Look! I’ve just put my words in your mouth—hand-delivered!
See what I’ve done? I’ve given you a job to do among nations and governments—a red-letter day!
Your job is to pull up and tear down, take apart and demolish, and then start over, building and planting."

Footnotes:       
 

Scripture taken from the The Message^®. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

New years comes and New Years go
Pieces of time all in a row
As we live our life, each second and each minute
We all know how privileged to have you in it.

Our Appreciation never ends
For Our greatest BLESSING is our Family and Friends

Happy New Years My Family,Friends of New Hope Christian Center

GOD BLESS YOU ALL
AngeleAlAahnaAn

December 27th, 2009 
Being About God’s Business – Luke 2:41-52
By Rev. David J. Pettitt

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Luke 2:41-52 [AMP]

41 Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year to the Passover Feast.^[1]

    42 And when He was twelve years [old], they went up, as was their custom.

    43 And when the Feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, 44 But, supposing Him to be in the caravan, they traveled on a day’s journey; and [then] they sought Him [diligently, looking up and down for Him] among their kinsfolk and acquaintances.

    45 And when they failed to find Him, they went back to Jerusalem, looking for Him [up and down] all the way.

    46 After three days they found Him [came upon Him] in the ^[a][court of the] temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

    47 And all who heard Him were astonished and overwhelmed with bewildered wonder at His intelligence and understanding and His replies.

    48 And when they [Joseph and Mary] saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, Child, why have You treated us like this? Here Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You [distressed and tormented].

    49 And He said to them, How is it that you had to look for Me? Did you not see and know that it is necessary [as a duty] for Me ^[b]to be in My Father’s house and [occupied] about My Father’s business?

    50 But they did not comprehend what He was saying to them.

    51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was [habitually] obedient to them; and his mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart.

    52 And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.

Footnotes:      
[a] Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.
[b] Literally, "in the things of My Father."

Cross References:      
[1] Deuteronomy 16:1-8; Exodus 23:15

Scripture taken from the The Amplified Bible^® ~ Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The "Amplified" trademark is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by The Lockman Foundation. Use of this trademark requires the permission of The Lockman Foundation. For Permission To Quote information visit www.lockman.org 

December 25th, 2009 
The Uncluttered Heart Series: 
Making Room for God – Isaiah 9:2-7 & Luke 2:8-14
By Rev. David J. Pettitt

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Isaiah 9:2-7

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death, upon them has the Light shined.^[1]

    3 You [O Lord] have multiplied the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before You like the joy in harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil [of battle].

    4 For the yoke of [Israel's] burden, and the staff or rod for [goading] their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor, You have broken as in the day of [Gideon with] Midian.^[2]

    5 For every [tramping] warrior’s war boots and all his armor in the battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood shall be burned as fuel for the fire.

    6 For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.^[3]

    7 Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.^[4]

Luke 2:8-14

8 And in that vicinity there were shepherds living [out under the open sky] in the field, watching [in shifts] over their flock by night.

    9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord flashed and shone all about them, and they were terribly frightened.

    10 But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people.

    11 For to you is born this day in the town of David a Savior, Who is Christ (the Messiah) the Lord!^[5]

    12 And this will be a sign for you [by which you will recognize Him]: you will find [^[a]after searching] a Baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. [I Sam. 2:34; II Kings 19:29; Isa. 7:14.]

    13 Then suddenly there appeared with the angel an army of the troops of heaven (^[b]a heavenly knighthood), praising God and saying,

    14 Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [^[c]men of goodwill, of His favor].

Footnotes:      
[a] Joseph Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon.
[b] John Wycliffe, The Wycliffe Bible.
[c] John Wycliffe, The Wycliffe Bible.

Cross References:      
[1] Isaiah 42:6; Matthew 4:15-16
[2] Judges 7:8-22
[3] Isaiah 25:1; Isaiah 40:9-11; Matthew 28:18; Luke 2:11
[4] Daniel 2:44; 1 Corinthians 15:25-28; Hebrews 1:8
[5] Micah 5:2  

Scripture taken from the The Amplified Bible^® ~ Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The "Amplified" trademark is registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by The Lockman Foundation. Use of this trademark requires the permission of The Lockman Foundation. For Permission To Quote information visit www.lockman.org