WPCC  :Ϭ w/%UQL¤PEˎ.ĭr\eNԢ.F[.QX Z#i4~d{Ѧ 8dL^@ F?iFn컴\$ˬ<ƝYMWD8-G )|)^6 T"V|~H"RZIGԬ^F!Z^' R3*.}%Hz>_=x~ԣ`)>Uj%|.R6i`ٹ+/1;|ƴhІf%ݯ"y7J:p`OOKyDn7_wrb<[P"6P6B%W{>w":@U5r/ OL8va DT@qwɃ'pn}DMl7!Xtk }|gxrl4|;B, WJc<#HUN %_ 0:eU6U>^  w 4# 7 F mH H U@_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 0 0 :Q Q Q Q 0R 06 hp deskjet 5550 seriesT(,,,,T(0(9 Z6Times New Roman RegularX(\$CEUS.,<6X9`(Courier New\  `&Times New Roman2/ 1/Q3|xU(9 Z(Times New Roman 0AA.Normal  5+ ` hp x 55+ ` hp x 5  42Emphasis<:Preformatted  /%  ,Kk %#/K<6X9`(Courier NewKS\  `&Times New RomanS/%  ,Kk %#/  0.Strong \!CEUS.,  _X<XXX  _EPHPHATHA_XX<    ?+ ` hp x X?  S?   ;   #X<X#"BeOpened"XX< B݌ ? Ќ XX   ;a  9%  ,Kk X92 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2  #X<X#XX<ԀSermonPreachedonSeptember7,20032݌ + Ќ0k k 0   #X<X#\XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2  #X<X#XX<Mark7:31#X<X#XX<!#X<X#XX<Ԁ#X<X#XX<372>݌  Ќ0k k 0   #X<XV#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2o   #X<XP #XX<ԀTherewasamanwhocouldneitherhearnortalk.Hewasdeafandcouldhardlytalk.Butwhenhewasbroughtto2o ݌ ' w Ќ0k k 0   ݀Jesus,Jesusmadehimwell.Everyonewasfascinatedandsaid;#X<X #XX< #X<X #XX<Hehasdoneeverythingwell.Heevenmakesthe  ; Ѐdeaftohearandthemutetospeak.#X<X #XX<#X<X #XX<Ԁ#X<X #XX<YesJesushasdoneeverythingwell.Heevenmadethedeafhearandthemute   Ѐspeak.IfHedideverythingsowellforthatpoormaninthestory,whycouldn#X<X#XX<#X<X #XX<tHedothesametome?Why s  Ѐshouldn#X<XP#XX<#X<X#XX<tHemakeeverythingwellforyouandforyourlovedones?Intoday#X<X#XX<#X<X#XX<sScripturereadingwefindsomevery 7   Ѐimportantlessonsfordealingwithourownconcernsandproblems.  K  #X<X#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2  #X<X#XX<1.#X<XX#XX<Bebrought#X<X#XX<2݌   Ќ0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2  #X<X#XX<ThefirstthingwenoticefromthestoryisthatthemanwasbroughttoJesus.WhenJesuscametotheregionof2 ݌ G  Ќ0k k 0   ݀_Decapolis_,thereweresomepeoplewhobroughtthemantoJesus.Themanwasadeafandcouldhardlytalk,and  [  ЀtheybeggedJesustolayHishanduponhim.Inotherwords,theyprayedthatJesusmighttouchthemanandcure   Ѐhim.Jesusindeedcuredhim,restoringhishearingandhistalk.Ifwecouldmeettheman,andask:#X<XK#XX< #X<X>#XX<Sir?Howwere   Ѐyouabletohaveyourhearingrestored?Howareyouabletotalk?#X<X#XX<#X<X*#XX<Ԁ#X<Xp#XX<Themanwouldprobablysay,#X<X#XX< #X<X#XX<Ihavesome W  Ѐgoodfriendsinmytown.TheybroughtmetoJesus.#X<XW#XX<#X<X#XX<Ԁ k #X<X2#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2  #X<X#XX<TheprimarythingtohappentothedeafmanwastobebroughtbeforeJesus.Becauseofhisafflictionhewasunable2݌  Ќ0k k 0   ݀tohearandspeakasothersdid,hedidnothaveanymeansorcapacitytodoanythingabouthistrouble.Butthank g ЀGod,thereweresomepeoplewhocoulddowhatwasneededtobedoneforhim.     +{ #X<X5#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2   #X<X #XX<ԀLookingaroundus,therewillalwaysbesomeonewhoselifeishamperedbysomesortoftroubleandunableto2 "݌  Ќ0k k 0   ݀doanythingaboutit.Inthatcasesomeoneelsewillhavetostandupforhim/her.Whoknows,perhapsitisyouwho w Ѐshouldstandupforhim/her?HaveyoueverbroughtanyonetoJesus?Letusrememberthatuntilthedeafmanwas ; ЀbroughttoJesus,nothingcouldhappentohim.Untilthatgloriousmoment,hewastrappedinthedarknessof O Ѐfrustrationandconfusion.AsthedeafmanneededtobebroughtbeforeJesus,yourlovedonealsomustbebrought  ЀbeforetheLord,today.   ,  K  k        #X<XL"#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2m&  #X<XN&#XX<2.#X<X'#XX<Betouched#X<X@(#XX<2m&'݌ _ Ќ0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2)  #X<X(#XX<ԀThesecondthingwenoticedfromthestoryisthatthemanwasnotonlybroughttoJesus,buthewastouchedby2)*݌ #  Ќ0k k 0   ݀Jesus.Jesustouchedhim.Hetouchedhimintimately.TheBiblesaysthatJesustookhimaside,awayfromthe ! Ѐcrowdinordertomakecloseranddirectcontactwithhim.AndHeputHisfingersintohisears.Moreover,hespat [" Ѐandtouchedhistongue.Whatdoesitmeanby,#X<X)+#XX< #X<X-#XX<spatandtouchedhistongue#X<X.#XX<#X<Xp.#XX<?  o# #X<X.#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2//  #X<X/#XX<ԀIlookedatupseveraldifferenttranslations. ,  K  k 2//w0݌ !% Ќ0k k 0    k"& #X<X0#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B272  #X<X2#XX< #X<X3#XX<spatandtouchedtheman#X<X4#XX<#X<Xa4#XX<stonguewiththespittle.#X<X4#XX<#X<X5#XX<ԀLivingBible2723݌ /#' Ќ0k k 0   #X<XI5#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B26  #X<X6#XX<Ԁ#X<X:8#XX< #X<X}8#XX<touchedhistonguewithspittle.#X<X8#XX<#X<X%9#XX<ԀJerusalemBible#X<Xk9#B%  ,Kk k BXX< #X<X):#XX<afterspitting,Hetouchedhistongue267݌ #C( Ќ0k k 0   ݀withthesaliva.#X<Xo:#XX<#X<X;#XX<Ԁ_NASB_Ԁ#X<X;#B%  ,Kk k BXX<SoitisobviousthatJesusappliedHissalivatothisman#X<X<#XX<#X<X =#XX<stongue.JesusspatonHis $ ) Ѐfingersandtouchedthisman#X<XR=#XX<#X<X=#XX<stongue.WhydidJesusapplyHissalivatothisman#X<X'>#XX<#X<X>#XX<smouth?Wasthereanymagical {% * ЀorremedialeffectinHisspittle?Ofcourseinthosedays,peoplebelievedthatspittlehadcurativequalityinit.Even ?&!+ ЀwhenIwasgrowingup,mymotherusedtoapplyherspittleonthespotwhereIgotinjuredorhurt.Istilldohavea 'S", Ѐhabitofdoingthesamethingtomyselfandtomychildren.Infact,Dentalscienceprovesthatoralhygienemainly '#- Ѐdependsontheeffectsofsaliva.Theysaythatsalivahasprotectiveandantibacterialeffects.Soitisnecessaryto (#. Ѐhaveasufficientquantityofsalivainyourmouthtokeepitcleanandhealthy.      O)$/ #X<X>#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B24B  #X<XB#XX<ԀHowever,Idon#X<XC#XX<#X<XD#XX<tthinkthatJesususedHissalivaasaremedyforthemuteperson.ButIdobelievethatJesusput24B|C݌ *'&1 Ќ0k k 0   ݀Hisfingersintotheman#X<XYD#XX<#X<XE#XX<searsandappliedHisspittleasofthemostlovingandintimatemannertowardthetroubled +&2 Ѐman.CanyouimaginethatJesusisstandingthereandreachesoutHishandandputsHisfingersinyourearsand _,'3 ЀtouchesyourmouthwithHisspittlecoveredfingers?Thequestionis:CanyouletJesusputHisfingersinyourears #-s(4 ЀandletHimtouchyourtonguewithHisspittlecoveredfingers?HowmuchwouldyouallowGodtointervenein -7)5 Ѐyourlife?WouldyouhaveGodinyourdealingsinyourpersonalrelationshipwithothers?WouldyouhaveGodin  Ѐyourdealingswithyourbusiness?(#(#K(# t #X<XF#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2JI  #X<X+I#XX<ԀEarsandtonguearethemostsensitivepartsinourbody.Theymustthemostconfidentialandvulnerableareasin2JIJ݌ L Ќ0k k 0   ݀ourlife,too.ButwhenJesustouchedthoseareasofthemaninthestory,hislifewascompletedchanged.Sothe  ЀsecretformantosolvehisproblemwastoletJesustouchhim,eveninthemostsensitiveandvulnerableareasofhis  Ѐlife.HisdeafearsandmutetongueweretouchedbyJesus.Whataheartwarmingsceneitmusthavebeen.(#(#K(# H  #X<XJ#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2N  #X<XM#XX<3.#X<XO#XX<Beopened#X<XO#XX<2NNO݌   Ќ0k k 0   2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B26Q  #X<X$P#XX<ԀThethirdthingwenoticefromthestoryisthatwhenhemanwasbroughttoandwastouchedbyJesus,hisdeaf26Q~R݌    Ќ0k k 0   ݀earswereopenedandthemutemouthwasloosened.Jesus,puttingHisfingersintothisman#X<XR#XX<#X<XT#XX<sears,andtouchinghis X   Ѐtongue,saidtohim,#X<XT#XX< #X<XPU#XX<_EPHPHATHA_!.#X<XU#XX<#X<XV#XX<Ԁ#X<XIV#XX<Whichmeans,#X<XV#.  .VЀGo  .  XX< #X<X=W#.WЀGo  .  XX<beopened.#X<XW#.WЀGo  .  XX<#X<XWX#XX< k        l  .9XЀGo  2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2(Y  #X<XX#XX<Allthroughhislife,hehadtheears,buthecouldnothear.Hehadatongue,buthecouldnotspeak.Whatamisery2(YpZ݌   Ќ0k k 0   ݀hemusthavegonethrough. h  #X<XZ#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2m\  #X<XN\#XX<IrememberwhenIcametoCanadafirsttime,Ihadears,butIcouldnotunderstandwhatpeopleweresayingin2m\]݌ ,|  Ќ0k k 0   ݀English.Itriedtospeak,butpeoplecouldnotunderstandwhatIwastryingtosay.MyEnglishwasfarworsethanI @  tisnow.Atfirst,Iwasreallyfrustratedanddisappointed.Mymindwasfilledwithhostilityandanxietytowardthe   ЀfactthatIwasbornandgrewupinthecountrywhoselanguageisotherthanEnglish.ButoneFridaynight,Iknelt x  ЀdownbeforeGodinthesanctuary.AndIprayed: < #X<X]#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2ja  #X<XKa#XX< #X<Xb#XX<OLord,youcreatedmeasaKorean.Butnowyouhaveledmetocometothiscountry.So,OLord,please,open2jab݌ P Ќ0k k 0   ݀myears,thatImayhearwhatothersaresaying.Please,touchmylips,thatImayspeakinEnglishwithouttrouble.#X<X:c#XX<#X<Xe#XX<  2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2e  #X<X]e#XX<ԀIprayedandprayedforhoursandhours.Itmustbeaboutthreeo#X<Xg#XX<#X<Xg#XX<clockinthemorning,allofasuddenmywhole2ef݌ L Ќ0k k 0   ݀bodyseemedtobecaughtupinacertaingushofpower.AndIfeltmywholebeingwaschurningandshaking.My ` Ѐheartwasthrilledandexcited.IbelievedthatitwasthemomentthattheLordindeedhadtouchedmyearsandlips. $ ЀFromthatmomentmyearsbegantobeopenedandmylipsbegantobelooseneddailyandfrommomenttomoment  Ѐtonow. \ #X<Xg#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2j  #X<Xj#XX<ԀAllproblemsinourlivescomefromthefactthatwehaveclosedearsandastiffenedtongue.Wecannothearwhat2j#l݌  p Ќ0k k 0   ݀othersaresaying.Andwecannotsaywhatotherscanunderstand.WeallneedtobeopeneduptowardGodand 4 Ѐtowardourneighbours.  #X<Xel#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2n  #X<Xn#XX<ԀAstoryistoldofFranklinRoosevelt,theformerpresidentoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica.Whenhewasinhis2no݌ l Ќ0k k 0   ݀officeofpresidency,hehadtoendurelongreceivinglinesofguestsattheWhiteHouse.Butherealizedthatnoone 0  Ѐreallypaidanyattentiontowhathewassayingtothevisitors.So,oneday,duringareception,hedecidedtotryan D! Ѐexperiment.Toeachpersonwhopasseddownthelineandshookhishand,hemurmured,"Imurderedmy " Ѐgrandmotherthismorning."Theguestsrespondedwithphraseslike,"_Marvelous_!Keepupthegoodwork.Weare |# Ѐproudofyou.Godblessyou,sir."Itwasnottilltheendoftheline,whilegreetingtheambassadorfromBolivia,that @ $ Ѐthepresident#X<X(p#XX<#X<Xbt#XX<swordswereactuallyheard.Hearingwhatthepresidentsaid,theambassadorfromBolivialeaned !T% Ѐoverandwhispered,"Iamsorrytohearthat.ButI'msureshehaditcomingtoher."    !& #X<Xt#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2v  #X<Xu#XX<ԀJesussaidtothemanwhowasdeafandmute,#X<Xw#XX< #X<Xx#XX<_Ephphatha_!#X<XFx#XX<#X<Xx#XX<Ԁ#X<Xx#XX<Andhisdeafenedearwasopenedandthemuted2vKw݌ P#( Ќ0k k 0   ݀tonguewasloosened.Tothispeoplewereamazedandsaid,"Hehasdoneeverythingwell,Hemakeseventhedeaf $d) Ѐhearandthemutespeak.#X<X;y#XX<#X<Xz#XX<Ԁ#X<XD{#XX<Yes,theLordcandoeverythingwellToyouandtoyourlovedones.Allweneedtodois $( * ЀlettheLordtouchyouaswellasyourlovedones.(#(#K(# % + #X<X{#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2|  #X<X|#XX<ԀAswearecomingintoanewschoolyear,Itisimportanttoopenourearstowardouryoungpeople.(#(#K(#2|}݌ $'t"- Ќ0k k 0    '8#. #X<X;~#XX<H+ ` hp x k H  ?+ ` hp x X?  S(O$(# S &  #X<X#XX<Oncetherewasaphonecallduringthe_night.The_ԀWomenwasstartledassheansweredthecallcomingoutofadeep &݌ (O$/ Ќ XX   ݀sleep. Hello?Andthevoiceattheotherendanswered, Mama?Immediatelyshethoughtsomethingterriblehad *f%0 Ѐhappenedtoherdaughter.Butsheknewitwasnother_daughter.She_Ԁfumbledtofindawordtorespondtothevoice -+}&1 Ѐonthephone,tryingtoletthecallerknowthatshehadthewrong_number.But_Ԁthedesperatelycryingvoicecutoff D,'2 Ѐherattempt.Anditsaid,"Mama,Iknowit'slate.Butplease,don't...don'tsayanythinguntilIfinish.Andbefore [-(3 Ѐyouaskanything,justlistentome,_please,Yes_,I'vebeendrinking.Inearlyranofftheroadafewmilesbackand..  Ѐ.""Igotsoscared.AllIcouldthinkofwashowitwouldhurtyouifyoufindoutIwasmissing.Dontgetmadatme.  ЀIwant...tocomehome.Now,Iknowrunningawayiswrong.Itriedmanytimestotalktoyou.Iwantedtoletyou . ЀknowwhatIwasgoingthrough.Butyoudidnotlistento_me.You_ԀneverletmetellyouhowIfelt.However,Iknow E Ѐrunningawayisnotrightthingto_do.So_,Iamcominghome.Mom,Iloveyou.Therewasaclick,andthephone  \ Ѐwent_silent.Her_Ԁhusbandwokeupfromhissleepandcomplained, Whatthugcalledawrongnumberinthemiddleof # s Ѐthenight!Butshesaid,"Maybeitwasn'tsuchawrongnumber."Bythattimetheir16yearsolddaughterwokeup :  Ѐandjoinedthem,"Mom,Dad,whatareyoudoing?"Themotheranswered,"We're_practicing_,""_Practicing_Ԁwhat?"she Q  Ѐmumbled."Listening,"themotherwhisperedandbrushedahandoverhercheek.   x   h  #X<X#XX<9%  ,Kk X92 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  S SB%  ,Kk k%#B2  #X<X,#XX<ԀAsthemaninthestorywasbroughttoandtouchedbyJesustohavehisdeafearsopenandhismutetonguegot2݌   Ќ0k k 0   ݀loosened,WeallneedhavesomeonewhoneedstobebroughttoandtouchedbytheLord.Weallneedtobeopened Z  ЀtowardtheLordandtowardseachother.#X<X$#XX< #X<X;#XX<_EPHPHATHA_!#X<X#XX<#X<X#XX<ԀLetushearthecompassionatevoiceofJesus,sayingto n  Ѐus,#X<X3#XX< #X<Xȏ#XX<_EPHPHATHA_!#X<X#XX<#X<Xz#XX<Ԁ#X<X#XX< 2  2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B27  #X<X#XX<************27݌   Ќ0k k 0   #X<X#B%  ,Kk k BXX<Ԁ j #X<XD#XX<Ԁ .~ #X<X#XX<2 B%  ,Kk %#k BɀSɀ  SB%  ,Kk k%#B2  #X<X#XX<Ԁ2\݌ B Ќ0k k 0   #X<X##X<XXX<=#