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This article explains the increased problems that occur when a child develops OCD tendencies it emphasis on the impact to family life and the devastating effects it has on a child's ability to have a happy upbringing. The warning signs of OCD can be confusing for some parents, detailed below are a few tips to help you pick up on them.
NLP4Kids are helping children who are suffering with a number of different mental health issues such as Anxiety, Depression, Low Self-Esteem and OCD. We work with schools to help with Exam Stress and Confidence Building.
Megan felt miserable. She and her family had relocated in the middle of the school year to another city. She was missing her friends and changes were difficult for her. It seemed the problems began one morning when she was getting ready for school.
While washing her hair, she thought she had swallowed some of the shampoo. She wondered if it was toxic. She worried she'd get sick and die. She rinsed her mouth incessantly until she felt safe.
"Is it poisonous?" she would ask her mom, every day before taking a shower. Her mom would reassure her that it was harmless.
But Megan wasn't satisfied with the answer. She couldn't take a chance and took safety measures each time. Soon, her worries increased and transferred to other things like soap and toothpaste. Smells of certain products also became threatening to her. She avoided places, situations, people, and products that could cause her harm. Megan was unhappy, and her parents felt lost.
Many children are anxious for different reasons, and parents need to be aware of the difference between OCD and other mental and emotional challenges. When children wash, rinse, clean, check, repeat, fix, order, count, or show other outward manifestations of OCD, parents can easily determine the problem is probably OCD. However, children may experience violent, religious, sexual, and neutral obsessions that may accompany some outward but also internal compulsions. Parents may have more difficulty identifying the compulsions and thus recognizing the problem as OCD.
Maintaining a close relationship and open communication with your children can help you discover what they are thinking. Children afflicted with OCD may become irritable, demanding and bossy. They may ask you to do certain behaviors to ease their anxiety. Children may ask questions not necessarily for information purposes but to feel comforted and reassured. They may stay away from situations, places, and people they didn't avoid previously. When you begin to feel overwhelmed by your child's troublesome behavior, you know something is amiss.
Getting the right information can be the first step toward recovery. Find out your family's mental health history. OCD is a physiological and behavioral illness. It's also a genetic predisposition. You may discover ancestors and relatives who have suffered from OCD or similar illnesses. Then you can help your child realize OCD is heritable and is no one's fault. This will help normalize the challenge.
OCD can be triggered by a stressful or traumatic experience. Puberty itself can be stressful enough that it could trigger OCD. Read reputable
* OBSESSIONS. These are intrusive thoughts that won't leave the person's mind. One thought will lead to another and another. OCD sufferers find it difficult to redirect their attention away from these thoughts.
* FEELINGS. Feelings are intense and will vary according to the person's target obsession. Most people will experience anxiety but guilt, depression, anger, frustration, and other feelings may ensue.
* COMPULSIONS. Compulsions are whatever the person will do to get relief from the obsessions and feelings. The compulsions can be either behavioral or mental. Sometimes when individuals don't receive treatment soon enough, their compulsions may become as automatic as their obsessions.
* RELIEF. Relief is obtained by doing the compulsions and is what every OCD sufferer wishes for. Unfortunately, it will only be temporary until the next trigger appears. Unbeknownst to the individual, the false sense of improvement and relief is actually reinforcing the OCD cycle.
Megan's triggers were various products and substances that she suspected were poisonous. Her obsessions were the thoughts about what would happen if she were to inhale or swallow those products. She was afraid to get sick and die, so she felt anxious about it. Some of her compulsions were: rinsing incessantly, checking with her mom and obtaining reassurance she wouldn't get sick and die. Avoiding products and situations that would possibly harm her was a compulsion as well.
You and your child need to remember that OCD is an illness like other illnesses that children and adults have. Talk about children who suffer from diabetes or asthma. They experience difficulties but learn how to cope. For instance, children who have asthma can still play sports. They get used to bringing their inhalers along. Children with diabetes learn certain skills and routines to manage their sugar levels. Likewise children who are challenged by OCD can learn new skills to deal with it and move on with their lives. Remind your child that people who have asthma or diabetes are not embarrassed or ashamed of their illness and neither should your child be.
Telling your child to "just stop it" won't work, and you know this already. Criticism, overcorrecting and overreacting trigger more anxiety and frustration not only in your child but everyone else in the family - including you. Insensitivity will backfire, but accommodating your child's OCD demands will be exhausting as well.
There is a fine balance and practicing reflective listening can decrease negative responses. Difficult situations go more smoothly when parents practice those skills. Parents can let their children know they care. Say something like, "I know you are having a really hard time! If I had those thoughts and worries, I'd probably feel the same way. Would you like to talk about it?"
It's easier said than done. When your children want to involve you in their rituals, validating their feelings certainly won't solve their anxiety, but they'll know you understand. It will also delay the compulsions even it is just a few seconds or minutes.
Give your child hope: "We will be going to see someone who will help us learn how to deal with this challenge." Your children need to know there are solutions. Let them know they'll be learning skills to deal with OCD.
Sometimes parents hope their child's behavior is just a temporary situation. When your child's "current self" is no longer her "typical self," consult with your pediatrician. Watch for the following symptoms: easily crying or irritated; declining grades; appetite changes; hopelessness; worthlessness; sleeping difficulties; increased periods of extreme anxiety; social conflicts or isolation; tardiness; concentration difficulties; underachieving; and inability to make decisions.
Find a specialist who is trained to treat OCD by implementing cognitive-behavioral therapy that includes Exposure and Response Prevention. Multiple studies have proven CBT to be the most effective treatment. When it comes to treating pediatric OCD, research also indicates that CBT with the focus on parents and family involvement provide positive outcomes. Visit the International OCD Foundation to locate a therapist specialized in treating OCD.
It is difficult to see one's child suffer, but know that there is hope. You and your child can learn the skills needed to keep OCD at bay. Learn how to manage it, and the entire family can enjoy life again.
By
Annabella Hagen
psychcentral.com
NLP4Kids is an education franchise based in the UK that provides child counselling with child therapists who specialise in using NLP for Kids, a proactive alternative to conventional child psychology and children's mental health. If you are looking for family therapist to help with bipolar disorder in children, ADHD in children, depression in children, teenage depression or OCD in children, or if you wish to book a workshop to help your overcome panic attacks in children or anger management for children, call 0203 6677294 or email info@NLP4Kids.org
Find out more about our franchising opportunities here:
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WHAT IS PARAD OR MERCURY IN ASTROLOGY?, UNDERSTAND PARAD OR MERCURY, BENEFITS OF MERCURY, POWER OF PARAD, WORSHIP OF PARAD STATUES, PARAD SHIVLING, PARAD, SHREE YANTRA, PARAD FOR SUCCESSFUL LIFE, ASTROLOGER FOR BEST GUIDANCE TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEM.
Parad Proucts For Success
A metal which has great importance, a metal which gives a successful life, a metal which has the power to give health, wealth and prosperity. Do you want to know about that. So that metal is called PARAD OR MERCURY. As per our holy The information on this site is the result of great intense research on parad and we believe that parad or mercury will definitely change your life.
WHAT IS MERCURY OR PARAD?It is the only metal which is present in liquid form and so it is also called metalloid. It is experienced and also written in holy scriptures that if any one worship on the shivling made with parad then no doubt success will come in his or her life.
The worship of parad is able to bring dharm, artha, kama and moksha. Devotees can attain the 4 important aspects of life by worshiping divine parad shivlings or idols. It is also possible to over come from many harmful diseases by using parad in a specific way.
One can keep the parad god or goddeses statues in home temple. One can make the temple of parad.One can keep the parad idolin offices for positive energies.
MAGICAL POWER OF PARAD:It is very strange that no other metal can be kept with parad. It is said that it eats the other metal like gold, silver. So no metal is kept with parad. It is a magic that if you keep a gold coin with parad then after sometime you will find that gold is disappeared and no body knows that where it is.
WARNING:Mercury intake may lead to death so keep this away from children.
USE OF PARAD OR MERCURY:1. Parad or mercury is basically used in traditional thermometer. 2. It is used in healing patients.3. Mercury is used to make shivlings for worship.4. It is used by astrologer or vastu consultants to increase the positive energies any where.5. It has the power to destroy the black magic effects.6. Parad has the power to attract money, fame, peace and prosperity.
If you are facing any problem and in search of astrologer for genuine guidance then do contact ASTROSHREE ASTROLOGER for predictions, analysis and easy remedies.Get the solutions of marriage problems, get the remedies of love problems, make your career successful, best astrology services on line by astrologer astroshree.
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What Are Benefits of Parad Articles As Per AstrologyHOW TO WORSHIP SHIVLING OF PARAD/MERCURY?
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A 3 pack of worker angels is waiting to visit any person who comments on this post inviting them to come. All you need to do is post a comment and say something to the effect of "My name is (your first name) and I'd be happy to welcome the three angels to my home on (date) at (time).
They come from a shaman-in-training who received them from a healer in Mexico (or maybe Brazil-that story was a little hazy). You can ask them for 3 wishes, or you can get guidance, help and support. From previous messages the energy of the angels has been subtle at first, then very present by day 3 or so. You receive the angels after dark on day one, keep them for another 5 days and send them on to 3 more people after dark on the 6th night, not counting the night they arrived.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO RECEIVE THEM:
Prepare a table with 3 white candles in glasses, a bowl of white rice (cooked or uncooked) with a cinnamon stick, 3 flowers, 3 pictures of angels or angel objects of any kind and 1 small jar of honey. At the appointed time you open your window, light the 3 candles, open the honey and welcome them into your home.
On the last night you send the angels to 3 people by opening your window and telling the angels who to visit.
WHAT TO ASK FOR:
This one is entirely up to each recipient. Here are some ideas: one person asked for clearing of her physical, emotional and home space, another wish included being physically balanced and grounded during the re-wiring of her spiritual expansion and one angel to work on abundance in all its forms. Someone else asked, "One to help me be, another to help me do and one to help me receive."
Reference: http://paganism-new-age.blogspot.com
How to Prevent Mosquitoes This Summer
Mosquitos they are not just annoying, But they are Dangerous
Mosquitoes Despite their small size kill Millions of people Worldwide every year by spreading disease
But at the Same time Bombarding your body with Toxic Chemicals that Pollute the Environment only do more harm than good, so here is natural ways to repel them without chemicals
1.ELIMINATE STANDING WATER. Objects that can collect water provide for perfect breeding areas for mosquitoes. This includes plastic wrappers, tarps, tires, planter saucers, kids' toys and clogged gutters. Also, if you're a fan of birdbaths, change the water in them at least twice a week, and, of course, change the water in outdoor pet bowls regularly. For items such as recycling bins, drill drainage holes to prevent standing water.
2.GERANIUM, SOYBEAN AND COCONUT OIL - Found in a product called Bite Blocker
this unique blend of oils repels mosquitoes for about an hour
I tried Bite Blocker last summer and never got bit once
3. FOR A NATURAL APPROACH, TRY SPRAYING LEMON ON BUSHES, SHRUBS AND VINES
Lemon eucalyptus oil - Together these natural essential oils combine to wallop the mosquitoes with a one-two punch. Providing natural protection from mosquitoes and other carnivorous bugs, lemon eucalyptus oil lasts longer than any other natural repellent (6 hours)
4.CITRONELLA CANDLES
- Made from the oil of citronella grass, this lemon-smelling oil wards off mosquitoes and other flying pests with its natural lemon smell. Although citronella oil can also be used directly on the skin, these candles work best in combination with another natural repellant method.
You can also Grow Citronella Plants around your home in Pots
Break off few stems and branches and get the oils in the air
5. MARIGOLDS also repel Mosquitoes candles and soaps Marigold scented helps repel them away
6. BURN HERBS.
(Not that herb.) The next time you barbeque, throw some Sage, Rosemary, Horsemint, Lemongrass, Ageratum Beebalm, Catnip,Marigolds, Basil, Lavender,Lemon Scented Geranium: on the coals to repel mosquitoes.
7. EAT MORE GARLIC.
When you eat garlic, especially large quantities of it, an invisible layer of garlic oil seeps from your pores and creates a mosquito barrier. If you don't like the thought of eating more garlic, you can also use garlic juice to make a natural repellant.
Mix one part garlic juice with 5 parts water in a small spray bottle. Shake well before using. Spray lightly on exposed body parts for an effective repellent lasting up to 5 to 6 hours.' And if you don't like the idea of reeking of garlic, you can dip strips of cotton cloth into the malodorous mixture which you can then hang in strategic areas such as patios, decks and such as a local deterrent.
8. ATTRACT BATS.
It is said that one small brown bat can catch 600 mosquitoes per hour. In an effort to attract these opportunistic insect eaters, you might want to consider building or buying a bat house. And if you're worried about contracting rabies from the bats you attract, consider the Niagara Frontier Wildlife Habitat Council's statistic that the less than half of one percent of all bats that contract rabies, which all mammals can do, 'they normally bite only in self-defense and pose little threat to people who do not handle them.' For a free bat house pattern, go to Bat Conservation International.
10-25 drops essential oil. Try lavender, rose geranium (for ticks), coriander seeds, peppermint, cajeput and citronella
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon aloe vera gel (optional)
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; stir to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing.
or spray on body in a spray bottle
HOMEMADE INSECT REPELLENT RECIPE 3
25 drops essential oil (see above)
1/4 cup water or organic apple cider vinegar
Combine the ingredients in a glass jar. Shake to blend. Dab some on your skin or clothing.
or spray on body in a spray bottle
10. GROW THESE HERBS IN YOUR GARDEN
AGERATUM OR FLOSS FLOWER: AGERATUM HOUSTONIANUM. Type: Annual. Height: 6-12". Spacing: 6-8" apart. Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant.
BASIL: OCIMUM BASILICUM. Type: Annual. Height: 2 feet. Spacing: 18-24" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant, the leaves are used in cooking.
CADAGA TREE: EUCALYPTUS TORELLIANA. Type: Tree. Height: To 80 feet. Spacing: 20-30 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden.
CATMINT: NEPETA FAASSENII. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12-18 " apart. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant, and your cats will love it. The picture on the right is Catmint.
CATNIP: NEPETA CATARIA. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12-18 " apart. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar plant, and your cats will love it.
CITRONELLA GRASS: CYMBOPOGON NARDUS. Type: Perennial in USDA Zones 9 and 10, annual outside zone 9. Height: 5-6 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The oil from the plant is used in citronella candles. The picture on the left is Catnip.
CLOVE TREE: SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM. Type: Tree. Height: 20-30 feet. Spacing: 25 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The flower buds are the spice of commerce, and attracts wildlife to the garden.
HORSEMINT OR LEMON BEEBALM: MONARDA CITRIODORA. Type: Perennial. Height: 12-30". Spacing: 12-24" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The flowers can be used in fresh cut arrangements, nectar plant for butterflies and hummingbirds.
LAVENDER: LAVANDULA ANGUSTIFOLIA. Type: Perennial. Height: 18-24". Spacing: 12-18" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, flowers can be dried, in potpourris, and sachets.
LEMON BALM: MELISSA OFFICINALIS. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12-18" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: All leaves can be used in potpourris, flavor hot and iced teas, and used as a substitute for lemon peel in cooking.
LEMON GRASS: CYMBOPOGON CITRATES. Type: Perennial to USDA zone 8, treat as an annual elsewhere. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in cooking.
LEMON SCENTED GERANIUM: PELARGONIUM CRISPUM. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 12" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar plant for butterflies, leaves are used in cooking, in potpourris, and sachets. The picture on the right is Clove Tree.
LEMON VERBENA: ALOYSIA TRIPHYLLA. Type: Perennial to USDA zone 8, treat as an annual elsewhere. Height: To 4 feet. Spacing: 18-24" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The oil is used in perfumes; the leaves are used in flavoring teas and jellies.
MARIGOLD : TAGETES
No annual is more cheerful or easier to grow than marigolds. These flowers are the spendthrifts among annuals, showing a wealth of gold, copper, and brass into our summer and autumn gardens. The flower's popularity probably derives in part from its ability to bloom brightly all summer long.
Marigolds have daisy-like or double, carnation-like flowerheads and are produced singly or in clusters. Although there are some 50 species, some marigolds we know come from just three:
Tagetes erecta are the tallest, at three to five feet. They are sometimes known as African, or American, marigolds.Bushy T. patula, or French marigolds, are somewhat smaller and more compact. Elegant and eye-catching, they have relatively demure flowers and usually grow from 6 inches to 2 feet tall.The dainty T. tenuifolia are the signet, or rock-garden, marigolds that like hot, dry sites and make a wonderful edging. Their flowers are edible.Marigolds have been sterotyped but they offer tremendous variety; some have fantastic aroma; all marigolds are good in containers and provide long-lasting cut flowers
MEXICAN MARIGOLD MINT: TAGETES LUCIDA. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-30". Spacing: 12-18" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Butterfly nectar and larval food plant, fresh flowers are used in salads, leaves are used as a substitute for French tarragon.
MINDANAO GUM TREE: EUCALYPTUS DEGLUPTA. Type: Tree. Height: To 225 feet. Spacing: 30 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden.
PENNYROYAL: MENTHA PULEGIUM. Type: Perennial. Height: 6-12". Spacing: 12" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: A groundcover, nectar plant for butterflies, the leaves are used in the flavoring for fish dishes.
PEPPERMINT: MENTHA PIPERITA. Type: Perennial. Height: 24-36". Spacing: 12-18" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Leaves are used fresh in hot and iced teas, butterfly nectar and larval food plant.
PITCHER PLANT: NEPENTHES ALATA. Type: Herbaceous perennial. Height: To 14 feet, usually grown in a hanging basket. Spacing: N/A. Light Requirements: Partial shade to shade. Additional Uses: Will attract and capture all types of pesky insects from your garden. The plant is available at local garden centers in hanging baskets and can be placed in tree limbs or placed on patio plant stands. The plant uses the insects it captures as fertilizer. The picture on the left is Mindanao Gum, and the picture on the right is Mexican Marigold Mint.
PROSTRATE ROSEMARY: ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS 'PROSTRATES'. Type: Perennial shrub or groundcover. Height: 12-18". Spacing: 2 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes, butterfly nectar plant, drought tolerant plant.
RED-FLOWERING GUM TREE: EUCALYPTUS FICIFOLIA. Type: Tree. Height: 25-30 feet. Spacing: 20-25 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: After establishment in the landscape the tree is very drought tolerant, the leaves are fragrant, attracts wildlife to the garden, very showy red flowers in spring and summer.
ROMAN WORMWOOD: ARTEMISIA PONTICA. Type: Perennial. Height: 18-24". Spacing: 12" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant.
ROSEMARY: ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS. Type: Perennial shrub. Height: 4 feet. Spacing: 3-5 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: The leaves are used in lamb and fish dishes, drought tolerant plant, and butterfly nectar plant.
SILVER DOLLAR TREE: EUCALYPTUS CINEREA. Type: Tree. Height: To 20 feet. Spacing: 25 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun. Additional Uses: Attracts wildlife to the garden, the foliage is used in fresh cut flower arrangements as greens, and dried floral arrangements.
TANSY: TANACETUM VULGARE. Type: Perennial. Height: 3-4 feet. Spacing: 12-18" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar food plant for butterflies. The picture on the left is Prostrate Rosemary, and the picture on the right is Pitcher Plant.
WORMWOOD: ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 18-24" apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant.
WORMWOOD: ARTEMISIA 'POWIS CASTLE'. Type: Perennial. Height: 2-3 feet. Spacing: 3 feet apart. Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. Additional Uses: Nectar and larval food plant for butterflies, drought tolerant plant.
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LEVITICAL CEREMONYIN THE "MILLENIUM"
Once in a "blue moon" you stumble across an article of Bible study that is so "right on the money" you simply cannot improve upon it. As you can imagine, I've been bombarded with concerns about observing the Sabbath, Law vs. Grace, Animal Sacrifice in the Millenium, and all sorts of conflicting concerns.
So in hopes of putting your minds at ease, so you can focus on the GLORY of our Lord's fabulous feat of "Atonement" and be held "blameless" by his blood, I present to you this excellent write up on this subject matter.
This article is from a web site I have NEVER seen before but when I read the article it was DEAD ON THE MONEY. It took me years of study and lectures to capture what this article does in one excellent write-up.
PRAISE JESUS FOR THE INTERNET
Take the time to study this material if you are in any way confused about the Millennium, and if you feel you are held accountable for the LAW (which you are not... at this time). PRAISE JESUS.
ANIMAL SACRIFICE IN THE MILLENNIUM
We'll take the easy one first. The most prominent feature of Millennial Israel will be its Temple, so in our search for an answer, let's begin there. The Temple will have an outer court and an inner court. Each has gates facing East, North and South. Inside each inner gate is a room for preparing animal sacrifices (Ezek. 40:38-39), which will clearly be the order of the day during the Kingdom Age. There will be sacrifices for the year, the month, the week, and the day, in addition to those for the three remaining Levitical Feasts, Passover (bulls and goats but no lamb), Unleavened Bread, and Tabernacles. These are all discussed in detail in Ezekiel 45:13 - 46:15.
So now we know that animals will be sacrificed regularly through out the Millennium. They'll be called sin offerings, guilt offerings and burnt offerings, just like in Leviticus. What Ezekiel didn't discuss is why they'll still be necessary. For that we have to look other places.
IT'S THE LAW
First, a little review. The Old Testament sacrifices, though required, were only of benefit to those who understood their symbolic purpose. In Psalm 51:16-17 David wrote,
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Unless they were presented with the proper attitude, animal sacrifices were not pleasing to God. Men who offered sacrifices had to admit their fallen nature and believe that the animals they were offering symbolized a coming Redeemer who would one day restore them.
But over time the motive was forgotten and just the motions remained. In Isaiah 29:13 God said,
"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."
And in Isaiah 66:2-3 He explained just how repulsive the sacrifices are without contrition and faith, the only proper motives.
"This is the one I esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. But whoever sacrifices a bull is like one who kills a man, and whoever offers a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever makes a grain offering is like one who presents pig's blood, and whoever burns memorial incense, like one who worships an idol."
From these examples, it's clear that Old Testament believers were required to offer sacrifices both as an admission of their sinfulness and of their belief that a Redeemer was coming to save them. While the Law of the Lord is perfect (Psalm 19:7) natural man cannot keep it. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by keeping the Law. Rather, through the Law we become conscious of sin. (Romans 3:20) The Law was given to teach us that we can't meet its requirements and need a Savior to redeem us from its penalty. We can't do it ourselves.
THEN COMES GRACE
The Age of Grace began at Pentecost and will end at the Rapture. This makes sense when you consider that in Ephesians 2:7 Paul said that through the Church God wants to demonstrate the incomparable riches of His grace in the ages yet to come. To accomplish this, He made our relationship with Him different than anyone else's before or after. In Ephesians 3:8-10 Paul said that he was chosen by God to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. This was a mystery in the past, but God's intent was that now, through the church, His manifold wisdom would be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm. That means angels, both faithful and fallen, learn something of God's wisdom by studying the Church.
So both the angels in Heaven and future generations of men on Earth will see in the Church the perfection of God's love. In Ephes. 2:10 Paul called the Church God's workmanship. The Greek word means to make something from something else. It's used only twice in the New Testament and both times it describes the work of God as our Creator.
In our case, He took something worthless and made it into something priceless. He forgave all of our sins in advance, (Col. 2:13-15) making His pardon free for the asking (Matt. 7:7-8). When we ask, He begins from that moment on to see us as if we're as righteous as He is, (2 Cor. 5:17,21) and guarantees our inheritance. (Ephes. 1:13-14) At the Rapture He'll transform us to become in fact that which we already are is His sight. (1 Cor. 15:51-53) Then He'll reward us with a portion of His inheritance (Gal. 4:7), and a seat with His Son in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Ephes. 1:20-21 ">SAVED BY FAITH, OBEDIENT TO THE LAW
But that all comes to a crashing halt at the Rapture, because the Church Age didn't end the Age of Law. It just interrupted it. Even during Daniel's 70th Week (the last 7 years of the Age of Law) it's clear that life on Earth will be a lot more like it was in the Old Testament than it is in the New. For example, the Jews only need to build a Temple in order to conduct animal sacrifice. Their worship system requires it. Remember, in the middle of the 70th week the Abomination of Desolation will cause an end to the sacrifice and offering (Daniel 9:27). That means sacrifices will have begun again with the construction of the Temple, because they aren't being done now.
In an earlier study, The Nature Of Post Church Salvation, I made the case that post Church believers, whether Jew or Gentile, will not enjoy the seal of the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of their inheritance. Eternal Security is a blessing for the Church alone and ends with the end of the Age of Grace at the Rapture. Two passages from Revelation illustrate this.
1. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God's commandments and remain faithful to Jesus. (Rev. 14:12)
Speaking of the perilous times after the introduction of the Mark of the Beast, the Lord had John say that both obedience and faith will be required of Tribulation believers, whereas the Church is saved by grace through faith alone.
2. "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed." (Rev. 16:15)
When used symbolically, clothing always stands for righteousness. Note that it's the Tribulation believer's responsibility to maintain his righteousness. It's not imputed to him solely by faith as ours is.
Immediately after the 2nd Coming, the Temple will be cleansed and on Earth animal sacrifice will begin again. The fact that there were animal sacrifices before the Church and there will be animal sacrifices after the Church shows that they were not eliminated forever when Jesus came, but only suspended during the Age of Grace. (In the New Jerusalem, home of the Church, there is no Temple. (Rev. 21:22) Having been the Lord's Temple for the last 2000 years, we'll see that He's become ours.)
LIFE IN THE MILLENNIUM
In the Millennium, the people of Earth will once again offer sacrifices in admission of their fallen state, just like in the Old Testament, but now it will also be evidence of their belief that the Redeemer has come. According to Psalm 2 their relationship with the Lord will also be like it was for Israel in the Old Testament.
I will proclaim the decree of the LORD : He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."
Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. (Psalm 2:7-12)
So much for gentle Jesus meek and mild. And remember, in our recent study of Isaiah we saw that it won't be just Israel that comes under the rule of the Lord, but the whole Earth.
In the last days the mountain of the LORD's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations (Gentiles) will stream to it. (Isaiah 2:2)
THE WORD MOUNTAIN IS SYMBOLIC OF GOVERNMENT. ALL OF EARTH WILL BE A THEOCRACY WITH THE LORD AS KING.
Many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3)
The Hebrew word translated Law in verse 3 is Torah. So the Law being spoken of here is the Law of Moses, and all the world will have to comply.
He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)
This verse is often quoted in the context of peace. But it also means that there won't be any United Nations or World Court. Nor will any nation have the sovereign right to contend with another. The Word of the Lord will be the Law on Earth and there won't be any recourse. This will be the Lord's "New World Order" and He won't brook any alternatives.
ZECHARIAH ALSO GIVES US A GLIMPSE OF HIS MILLENNIAL RULE.
Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain. If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. (Zechariah 14:16-19)
BUT WHY?
Seeing the emphasis given to the Law both before and after the Church only serves to underscore the the Lord's declaration that He didn't come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. (Matt. 5:17) So, animal sacrifices have been suspended during the Church Age to demonstrate the extent of God's grace. But our study of the Millennium shows that they weren't eliminated forever. Here's why.
When the Church studies Israel we see that man came to believe He didn't need a Savior. He thought that keeping the Law and offering the sacrifices were sufficient payment for his sin, even though the Old Testament doesn't teach that. When Millennial believers study the Church they'll see that being freed from the Law and its sacrifices slowly took away our distaste for sin, allowing us to become far too comfortable in its presence, even though the New Testament doesn't teach that either.
Maybe natural man needs both. Maybe, like Israel, he needs a strict application of God's Law and the bloody, barbaric ritual that comes from his failure to keep it so he never forgets the awful consequences of sin. And maybe, like the Church, he needs to know for sure that God sent a Savior to do for him what he cannot do for himself. And that's to save him from those consequences.
In Israel God demonstrated the perfection of His Law. In the Church it's the incomparable riches of His Grace. In the Millennium, the people of Earth will experience both simultaneously. Next time we'll see if that does the trick, or if, like all of God's other attempts to dwell among His people, this one also ends in man's failure and God's judgment. Stay tuned. 05-23-09
BE BLESSED IN JESUS NAME NOW GET YOURSELF RIGHT WITH THE LORD! BE THERE!
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When it comes to sacrificing something of ourselves out of love for Christ, we believers have two major problems. "First", we are so detached from spiritual realities that Christian sacrifice doesn't seem to be worth the effort. We are simply unwilling to exert ourselves for the Savior.
And "second", many of the sacrifices we make for the Lord are so badly motivated and unwise that we may come to regret them in the end. The New Testament laments the state of individuals who "have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10:2) and who are worried and "troubled about many things" (Luke 10:41)-the "wrong "things-in their religious endeavors.
As for the first problem, let's be clear that sacrifices made out of love for our Lord are always "worth it." It will always be "reasonable" (Romans 12:1) to present ourselves to God all day, every day, and in every way as "living sacrifices"-to the death! This is because all such sacrifices are repaid by God "a hundredfold" in "this time" and "in the world to come" (Mark 10:30). No Christian has ever come to his deathbed with regrets over sacrificing too much for the glory of God.
But this problem is addressed, at least on an intellectual level, much more easily and frequently than that other question that must be raised on the topic of Christian sacrifice-the issue of exactly "what "I should be sacrificing for Christ in my life.We are comforted to know that anything offered to the Savior out of love is sure to be appreciated and rewarded, but Christianity is a faith that prizes wisdom as well. In fact, wisdom is actually commanded of us who follow Jesus (Ephesians 5:15).
Surely Martha's sacrifice and zeal to extend hospitality to Jesus was "right" on any number of levels, but Jesus did not encourage the sort of effort she was expending (Luke 10:41-42). What a shame to work so feverishly, and to sacrifice so greatly over an unnecessary and unhelpful cause.
And good King Josiah made the fatal mistake (literally) of not choosing the right battles in his life (2 Chronicles 35:20-24), failing even to recognize the guidance of the Lord when it was sent (v.22). So he actually made the "ultimate sacrifice," but he did so needlessly, even foolishly, and a very fine king was lost to his nation.
Then there is the sad case of the person in Romans 14:1-2 who has decided to become a vegetarian-to sacrifice some of the pleasures and conveniences of a well-rounded diet out of love for Christ. His case is sad because he thought his sacrifice was necessary in order to "really please the Lord." In this, however, he was mistaken, and the apostle Paul explains to all of us that he made this sacrifice needlessly, because he was "weak" (v.2). If he had been a little more mature in his Christian thinking, a little further along in his walk with the Spirit, he would not have offered this legalistic and unnecessary sacrifice.
We are warned by passages such as these to make sure that our sacrifices in the Christian life are God-appointed rather than self-appointed. Let us never refuse any sacrifice God directs us to make, but let us never offer "strange fire" to God because we presume that our ideas of a good sacrifice are on a par with His (Leviticus 10:1-2). We can only cringe when we contemplate how many Christian sacrifices must be in the process of being needlessly offered, at this very moment, on the altars of humanitarian "missions," political activism and war, ecological activism, fund-raising events for properties and projects, etc. We are compelled to admit that all sacrifices are "not "equal.
The author of "The Irresistible Revolution" (2006) seeks to persuade Christians to sacrifice all their wealth in the service of Christ. He approves of his friend's words, "We do need to be born again, since Jesus said that to a guy named Nicodemus. But if you tell me I had to be born again to enter the kingdom of God, I can tell you that you have to sell everything you have and give it to the poor, because Jesus said that to one guy too...but I guess that's why God invented highlighters, so we can highlight the parts we like and ignore the rest." (p.98) The author's commentary on this is that "Jesus doesn't exclude rich people; he just lets them know their rebirth will cost them everything they have" (p.104), and "rich people can release their riches and enter the Kingdom of God." (p.181)
Similarly, a speaker at the very influential Lausanne Congress of World Evangelization (1989) suggested that the Muslim world has not converted to Christianity because too few Christians have sacrificed their lives in attempting an open and public witness for Christ. "Is it conceivable that Christianity's failure to thrive in the Muslim world is due to the notable absence of Christian martyrs? And can the Muslim community take seriously the claims of a Church in hiding? (The many recent accounts of Muslims coming to repentance through rather supernatural means should remind us that God does not require our martyrdom to bring conviction to Muslim individuals.)"
In both of these examples we find an appeal for radical sacrifice that cannot be easily reconciled with Scripture. Jesus' wealthy friends-Mary, Martha and Lazarus, John-Mark's mother, etc.-did not, as far as we know, redistribute their wealth. And Paul told the wealthy believers in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 not to redistribute their wealth, but to have the right attitude toward "God who "gives us richly all things to enjoy" (v.17).
Even the apostle Paul, who was very "willing "to sacrifice his life in martyrdom, actually fled for his life to avoid martyrdom at Damascus (Acts 9:23), Jerusalem (Acts 9:28), Antioch (Acts 14:6), Thessalonica (Acts 17:10), Berea (Acts 17:14), and Ephesus (Acts 19:30). To have done otherwise would have constituted a "needless" sacrifice.
In Christian warfare, as with any other warfare, some patriots are called to the front lines, others receive orders far removed from the heat of battle, still others are expected to remain at home in factories and on farms. Some who dream of being chosen for special forces end up with desk jobs. Some who hoped to avoid battle end up with medals of valor or with twenty-one gun salutes. But the place of service, and the kind of duty to be carried out is for the King to decide, not the patriot himself.
To volunteer for the hero's role in God's service is noble and appropriate. It is very definitely our "reasonable service." But the Holy Spirit hands down very personalized orders for each of us. His is not a one-size-fits-all calling, and self-prescribed orders in this conflict are foolish and unacceptable.
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