March 3, 2014: Volume 3, Number 9
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MORE WITH
30 60 100 MINISTRIES |
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|  There are 7 sins God especially despises. He traces them visually from head-to-toe (Proverbs 6) ... and gives us another head-to-toe word picture describing the equipment to use to fight those sins in our lives (Ephesians 6).
Today's feature introduces this new series in practical vigilance. You'll read about how to Get Your Gear Ready for daily battles.
 Meanwhile, send us an email. We want to know how you're cultivating in your spiritual health. Always keep growing!
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POSITIVE CHANGES IN UKRAINE - OUR TRIP IS ON!
|  Our flights are booked and we are getting excited about the chance to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine this April.
We will teach the Spiritually Healthy Leader series in two locations, with pastors coming in from across the nation, with some possibly even from surrounding countries.
Continue praying with us for God's PEACE to REIGN in this country. As we see changes in government (for the better) and promises of elections. We are asking Jesus to open opportunities for the Gospel to become real in the lives of many.
We are praying that the Word of life touch these Ukrainian leaders at such a time as this. We deeply appreciate your prayers and gifts! Thank you. |
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30 60 100 OFFICES HAVE MOVED!
|  Our new office setup is wonderful. We put it to use immediately, holding our Board of Directors meeting there on February 21.
Please be sure to update your address book. (All our phone numbers and email addresses remain the same.)
Ministry Office
2425 San Pedro NE, Suite K
Albuquerque, NM 87110
Ministry Mailing Address (unchanged)
P.O. Box 13956
Albuquerque, NM 87192
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 Feature: TRIED, TRUE, STATE-OF-ART -- ARMOR FOR DAILY BATTLE
PART 1: GET YOUR GEAR READY | First in a series about personal vigilance
It's a fact: God detests all sin. Seven sins, in particular, rank at the bottom of His list.
Proverbs 6:16 says, "There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him" (NIV).
The term describing God's hate towards these sins, saanee, is one used in Hebrew for "foe." In other words, God views The Bottom Seven as an enemy ... a word picture that gives pause. Who wants to behave in such a way as to spark a war with the Creator of the universe? The thought can be enough to shake even the most complacent Christ-follower from a sluggish, self-satisfied slumber and into spiritually healthy combat.
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Image: Jason Saved By Grace
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God goes on to trace The Bottom Seven visually, starting at the top of the human body and moving down : haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill, a conniving heart, feet that rush into evil, a false witness, and a man who stirs up discord.
Always one to connect the dots, God provides another head-to-toe word picture in the pieces of His armor (Ephesians 6) - a set of practical tools we can use to battle The Bottom Seven. This series traces how to use that gear each day.
But first things first.
What You Need to Know about Battling The Bottom Seven
1. God doesn't hate you. He hates sin.
God's battle is with sin - not you. Understand the difference. God loves you deeply, but He doesn't love everything you do. If you're honest, you detest plenty of things you do, too. That puts you in good company ... with God.
2. God equips you
How gracious is our God to provide a set of gear specially-designed to battle The Bottom Seven, and then arrange it visually from head-to-toe, too, so we won't gloss over any of them: a helmet for your head, a shield for your heart, a belt around your torso, a sword for your arms, and shoes for your feet. God gives you everything you need to wage this daily battle.
3. God wants you to win
In the set of instructions provided with the armor of God, Paul uses the verb "stand" three times in just one-and-a-half verses: "Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm, then..." (Ephesians 6:13-14a, NIV).
The ability to stand is both defensive and offensive. God's armor, when used according to His instructions, allows you to play defense against The Bottom Seven - to stand against and oppose challenges. Yet the armor allows you to play offense, too, in the ability to withstand pressure, press on, and continue in your purpose.
The Bottom Seven are deadly. When you're spiritually healthy, they are on your radar every day. And God is on your side, working with you day by day, minute by minute, pulling for you to win.
All He asks is for you to get your gear ready ... and then use it.
Upcoming editions will address how to use each piece of gear in God's armor to Battle the Bottom Seven.
Growth Point
God equips you to be vigilant.
Scripture
Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)
Prayer Points - Sins that hurt others are particularly detestable to God. Why?
- When it comes to our human bent, what is the difference between playing defense and playing offense?
- Why is personal vigilance the mark of a spiritually healthy Christ-follower?
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| What People Are Saying ... |
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Rosi and Walter from FCCI Hispano
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"Thank you for sending us The Cultivator in Spanish [El Cultivador]. We are so happy to receive it in our own language. So many times the Internet service doesn't work very well in our city, which keeps us from searching online for translations to Spanish. But because your emails are already translated we can use them as a devotional with our employees in our business. We would like you to know that we are both doing well and are serving the Lord with joy. God bless you. We love you."
Rosi and Walter F., Paraguay
Fellowship of Christian Companies International
Hear more testimonies from Christians in remote areas served by 30 60 100 MINISTRIES staff here.
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