Balata AYS

The past 2 years have been difficult all over the world, and equally so here in St Lucia. With the Independence theme "Douvan Ansanm" meaning "Forward Together'' - we recognise the fact that we had trials and tribulations but we see the need to move ahead as one.

Moving forward as a team means all members taking steps in the same direction jointly and in unison. Just as the human body, the body of Christ (the church) has many members but we all work together to reach a common goal, to spread the gospel.

1 Corinthians 12: 12-27 gives us the perfect illustration on how to work as a team. This week, we will glean from this text to see how we can move forward together.

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For•ward
/'ˈfôrwərd/

adverb

onward so as to make progress; towards a successful conclusion

see also: onward, advancing, progressing

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A true celebration of independence positively heightens the spirit of freedom, empowers the free will, encourages the autonomy to set goals and may even inform us of how to achieve them. It should really be an opportunity to discover our gifts and our resourcefulness.

It is our loving God and Creator Who gifted each of us with free will - the driving force behind decision making; self-autonomy - the power and right to act upon decisions; and self-determination - the motivation and power to help us accomplish successfully what we set out to do.

However, this does not mean that we do life alone, or make decisions solely in our best interests. On the contrary, it is an opportunity to learn and prove that with freedom comes responsibility, in particular, to glorify our Creator.

The Bible demonstrates over and over again that God values the free will, as love depends on it. Our responsibility to love, as God loves, and to love Him above and beyond all else, should also be part of celebrating independence for true independence is found only in Him.

As we celebrate our country's 43rd Anniversary of Independence, let us remember that love is the foundation of freedom, which is found in Christ. Let us also remember to love the brokenhearted, the destitute, those in need of a helping hand, for to do so is to exercise our God-given freedom.

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#43 🇱🇨

The celebration of Independence is really a celebration of free will, self-determination, and the freedom to accomplish what our free will dictates.

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#43 🇱🇨

Happy 43rd Independence Day St Lucia

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#43 🇱🇨

"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."

John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him, would not perish but have everlasting life."

Jesus loves us so much that he was willing to die.

Even if there was just one person on this earth, even if that one person was you, he would die just to save you.

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You are never without a Love constantly wooing you.

We were all at one point or the other running away from God's love. We may have thought it too restrictive or demanding and believed that freedom would come from the lies told to us by the world. Lies like, do anything once it makes you happy, after all you only have one life to live.

Thankfully, even while we were lost in these untruths, God constantly came searching for us. His tender love expressed in that still, small voice, wooing us back to Him. It may have come through an encouragement from a loved one, or through the lyrics of a song, it may even have come through a drastic life lesson that caused us to reflect on our present state.

When these moments come, just remember that you are not alone in this struggle, David, a man after God's own heart had his moments where he felt far from God because of his actions. Jonah, literally ran away so that he would not fulfill the will of God. Samson went down a wrong path, finding his way back to God only after he was struck with blindness by his enemies. The Prodigal son went from riches to rags but, his father's love never waned.

Throughout this noise called the busy bustle of life, just listen and you will hear God's loving voice calling you back to Him.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Colossians 2:6‭-‬7 KJV

Oh, the overwhelming,
never ending,
reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down,
fights 'til I'm found,
leaves the ninety nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it
Still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming
never ending
Reckless love if God
~Reckless Love|Cory Asbury

10. And God blessed Ruth's womb as she became the great grandmother of?

Answer: David
Reference: Ruth 4: 13, 17Tell us your answer in the comments.

The answer will be revealed in another post tomorrow
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Happy Sabbath Family

9. What is the sign that is used as a testimony to show that one has relingished or redeemed his legal right to property.

Answer: He takes off his shoe and hands it over to the person who will now have the rights.
Reference: Ruth 4: 7, 8
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