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God's Plan to save a harlot.

God loves individualsindividuals intimately.

His love is not distantnot distant.

God sawGod saw a seed of faith in her heart, and sentsent opportunity.

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Rahab acted upon her faithher faith and was saved.

Sent the king's men on a wild goose chase.

12 (Rahab) Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the Lord, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: 13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have (all their children), and deliver our lives from death.

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Rahab lovedloved her family and wantedwanted to protect them.

Rahab wanted to see her family savedher family saved as much as sheshe wanted to be saved.

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That is a natural partnatural part of being saved:

You want to see your loved onesloved ones saved.

When a person recognizesrecognizes and understandsunderstands the realityreality of Heaven and Hell,

Where his loved ones spend eternityspend eternity is the most important thing in his life.

Not enough people today value familyvalue family as they should.

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The family is a nuisance, until that arrogant onethat arrogant one needs something.

Family stuff is borinboring; his friends are more fun.

Don't forsakeforsake or alienatealienate the ones who love you.

They are more valuablevaluable than you realize.

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Rahab loved her family, and protected them.

Deuteronomy 5 16 Honor thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

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To honor one's parents means to value or prize them highly.

Bible Knowledge Commentary

Children still under the rule of their parents manifest honor with respectful obediencerespectful obedience.

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A disrespectful attitudedisrespectful attitude, reluctant obediencreluctant obedience, any pulling awaypulling away from full love and respect

Is to failIs to fail in this Commandment to honor parents.

If we want our lives to be blessed and good, it mattersit matters.

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NeglectNeglect of parents is to neglect the Will of God.

The duty to honor our parentshonor our parents doesn't end as we get older.

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I think of the old song, "Cat's in the Cradle".

Two excerpts: http://www.lyricsdepot.com/harry-chapin/cats-in-the-cradle.html

Well, he came home from college just the other day

So much like a man I just had to say

"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"

He shook his head and said with a smile

"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys

See you later, can I have them please

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God didn't say useuse your parents.

He said honorhonor them.

As we get older we honor them with our timetime, accountabilityaccountability, willing helphelp, and affectionaffection.

I've long since retired, my son's moved awayI called him up just the other day

I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time

You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu

But it's sure nice talking to you, DadIt's been sure nice talking to you"

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We are never too old to honor our parents.

Our culture has devalued family.

So many things are more important:

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Family was the firstfirst thing God established for mankind, and it is the most vitalmost vital.

Basic building blockBasic building block of a society.

Tear it down, the society will crumblewill crumble.

1 Timothy 5 3 Honor widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.

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Requite = repayRequite = repay

Your parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts have been good to yougood to you in your young years.

Don't neglectDon't neglect them when they're old.

If anyone is too busytoo busy for family, you are too busytoo busy.

1 Timothy 5 1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity.

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Church family is to be valued right along with blood family.

The same respect and love.

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