Are You The Servant Or The Source?

“For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment. But “he who [boasts], let him [boast] in the Lord.” For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.”— 2 Corinthians 10:12-18

Have you ever done anything for anyone in the name of Jesus? Maybe served on a mission form your church – or with another organization. Or maybe you just did something that was kind to a stranger. How did that make you feel? Good? Fulfilled maybe.  There is a snare that we can fall victim to if we are not careful.  Imagining that somehow it was us and not God that was the source of the good deed.  The difference is very subtle. There are plenty random acts of kindness taking place every day by people who have not been born again.  The difference between the “sheep” and the “goats” is not good works. It is not the works of people but the power of the Spirit.  I will not pretend to understand the deep things of God. Meaning that I don’t fully understand what is taking place spiritually when a Christian is serving in obedience to the leading of the Spirit. I do know that there is something supernatural taking place when what we do is done in the name of Jesus. Is every good deed done by a Christian motivated by the Spirit of God? No. We are physically no different than lost people in the physical sense. But we are markedly different from lost people in the spiritual sense. 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands.” – Ephesians 2:8-11

As we walk and do in obedience to the Spirit of God according to the will of God, we fulfill the purpose of God.  It is not the good we do that makes us right before God and effective witnesses for Christ, it is faith and obedience that results in good works that have been ordained by God.  And if that is the case, how in the world could we ever be so bold as to take credit for the good we do. It is a temptation and a slippery slope.  People praise me for what they see as the wonderful things that I do in serving others.  It is at that point that I have a choice – do I bask in their praise and take undo credit or recognize that what they see is God at work in the life of a mere mortal and give God the credit.  I now all too well that I have feet of clay. I must be on my guard that I don’t rob God of His glory in those moments. I encourage you to do the same.

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

How To Keep A Spiritual Perspective

“Therefore I [Paul] also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding [heart] being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.”— Ephesians 1:15-21

All of God’s creation has a spiritual context. The Creator of all things is Spirit. It is His creation that has a physical existence. But – it you are born again by the Spirit – you also have a spiritual nature.  Now here is the challenge for us – those who walk in the Way.  The challenge is living in a physical world with a spiritual perspective.  People who are not Christians cannot understand spiritual things – that being the true context of their existence. 

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;  but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God..” – 1 Corinthians 1:18-24

They are blind to the truth because they do not have the Spirit of God in them. That thing that empowers Christians to see the world in its true context and to live their lives differently from those who are perishing.  Some Christians don’t see things that way.  They prefer to think that the natural has nothing to do with the Spiritual. And so, they live their lives pretty much like those who are perishing. The parse out a few hours or minutes a week to address the Spiritual and the rest of the time they embrace the natural.  So where am I going with this?

As Christians, our lot in our new life is to be a reflection of Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him.  To see life in the context of the Spiritual reality and not the Natural which is a corrupted version, man’s idea, of God’s intent for His creation. As we experience life and see the course of history being played out, our role is to be salt and light – difference makers – not go-alongers.  It is important that you know what God has said – what He has revealed in His Word and through His Son and Spirit. Why? So when you hear the question – first spoken by the serpent in the Garden – “Did God really say ….. ?” You will know if He did or not. When the world says – “Doesn’t this make more sense? Don’t you think that what you believe is archaic – no longer relevant?  Don’t you want to be relevant in your culture and not rejected?”  Good question. That is something you have to decide – and many do – that they prefer acceptance from their culture – after all – the culture is physical – is here and now. God and His precepts seem so far away. God has not moved. But your heart and its devotion to the Father have drifted away from Him.

Be careful my friend – each of us are is just one step – one choice – one like on Facebook away from drifting.

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Ministry Of Inconvenience

 “Then Jesus answered and said: ‘A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?’37 And he said, ‘He who showed mercy on him.’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”— Luke 10:30-37

I had an epiphany the other day. You know, when you realize something that has been staring you in the face – but you didn’t see it – at least from the proper perspective.  Martie and I have been serving people who have faced hardships for one reason or another since about 2005. That service can be very demanding. Your life is not your own. Parsing out time for yourself can seem to be out of reach. Declaring that enough is enough is, well, it can feel very selfish and unspiritual.  It does not take long for you to come up with some very good reasons to just say “No”! I am not going to do it. That is too much. Too invasive on my space. What about me?!?!?!

The other day, during the course of my doing what I am doing in Texas, I was asked when it would be convenient for me to help someone. DING DING DING!!! I suddenly saw the essence of the parable of the Good Samaritan and the deep meaning of John 15:13.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” – John 15:13

What I heard – in my heart – which is where the Spirit speaks to me – was “you have been given the ministry of being inconvenienced”. Sound strange? I – Martie and I, are here to serve others. So often, out of concern for us, the people in need will ask when it will be convenient for me to help them. To which I now respond – “you tell me when you are available and I will make myself available.” I hope that does not seem merely noble to you – that is not my intent – but that it would sound Biblical. Being willing to go and do when it is not personally convenient is an act of mercy. The priest and the Levite were too busy to be bothered with what was right in front of them. The Samaritan was too compassionate to walk by. Serving others requires sacrifice.  Certainly it requires spiritual discernment – there are some who will take advantage of your kindness and mercy – there will be times when I don’t offer help – but only if my spirit is checked by The Spirit.  Laying you life down means considering someone else’s time to be more important than yours.    

Listen – the life we have been called to must be lived by the power of the Spirit and the instruction of the Word.  It is and will always be in conflict with our flesh – our old nature. There will always be those who say – “You have done enough”. It was enough that you stopped and bandaged the wounds of someone who doesn’t like you and would not give you the time of day. You don’t need to take them anywhere nor spend your money on someone you don’t even know.  You have to draw that line – no one will fault you for just going your way.  I mean look at the priest and Levite – if they didn’t think it was important to help a fellow Jew, don’t feel bad about limiting what you are going to do.  Except for one thing – it is not man that has saved us and called us. It is the Creator God through the sacrifice of His Son. 

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” – Matthew 16:24-25

How important is your time. What in this life is more important that serving others. Only one thing – serving God (Matthew 22:37-39). The one springs forth from the other.  We love because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19) Are you willing to be inconvenienced by others? If yes, then you better get ready!

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Batteries Not Included

 “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’”— John 3:4-8

Did you every receive a gift – a toy perhaps – something you really liked? Your excitement rose as you looked at it and imagined what it would be like to play with it. But then you noticed something written on the box labeling. “Batteries not included” As cool as the gift was there was one thing wrong with it.  It was dead and would not come to life – to function as it was intended until it had batteries. And, of course, you didn’t have the batteries. Ugh! If it had wheel, you could pretend but you would have to make it move because the mechanism inside needed what only the batteries could provide.

It is the same problem that Nicodemus faced along with all of mankind (I know that some today are offended by the use of “man” as if it excludes women, but it does not and I would say that using mankind in the spiritual sense of the term and not the world’s interpretation – I do not try to be politically correct – but I do so want to be spiritually correct – so no apologies) But I digress.  The problem is that because of sin – we are born with no batteries included.  That would be the Spirit of God. So Jesus was telling Nicodemus that what he wanted to have – eternal life – was out of reach because he had to be born again – born by the Spirit.  The Spirit is what allows us to function the way that the Designer intended. Without the Spirit we are nothing more than a knickknack on the dresser. 

So why I am I sharing this with you today.  Not because I think you have never read the 3^rd chapter of John.  I assume you have or are at least familiar with John 3:16.  It is faith in Jesus that makes our spiritual rebirth possible. No, I want you to consider the impossibility of most of the people around you of functioning – living – loving in the manner in which the Designer intended without the Spirit of God. Consider how great a difference there is between you – made alive toward God  through by faith and your subsequent rebirth – and people without the Spirit – no batteries if you will.  This is not a point that should make you prideful, but sad. Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

“Now as He [Jesus] drew near, He saw the city [Jerusalem] and wept over it, saying, ‘If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.’” – Luke 19:41-42

I marvel at the fact that once I was lost but now I am found – that I have batteries. So many don’t. The thing is that getting batteries – being born again by the Spirit is not the end game. It is the beginning. God has purposed that His sons and daughters will be lights and witnesses to the message that Jesus shared with Nicodemus. That we will live in a manner that honors God and gives testimony to our being made alive in Christ.

My point – Christians should encourage other Christians to honor God. Those who are not Christians – and some who are but have abandoned the faith, encourage each other to live in a manner that gratifies their lusts – the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Don’t think for a minute that we are all not vulnerable to drifting away from our new life and becoming immersed in a ‘form of righteousness’.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

We have been given the ministry of reconciliation.  Pointing the world to Jesus, the Great Reconciler. Christian, these are spiritually perilous times we live in. Just as many generations have faced before us. Think about it, Paul wrote to the Corinthians nearly 2,000 years ago. We cannot isolate ourselves from the world – God has sent us out to be witnesses to His grace and mercy through His Son. But we must insulate ourselves from the influences of this world.  Jesus was a friend of sinners, and yet did not participate in their sin. Instead, He encouraged them to repentance and restoration. And we should do the same. We cannot live our new life in our own power – but only by the power of God that is in us. ( yes I wrote this paragraph in my last devotion)

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

We Must Be Insulated Not Isolated

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” —Ephesians 2:1-6

Martie and I watch 2 sermons on Sundays. We get our second COVID shot the end of this month. But we are still undecided about when we are going to start attending the services in person. I find it interesting that I have encouraged people to meet together (not forsaking assembling together) and here we are at one year of not doing that very thing. So we get a double dose on Sunday. But then I wonder about the many who don’t have the luxury of the internet streaming Sunday sermons into their homes. Those same people will not be reading this come to think of it. How far is my concern supposed to go? A challenge for all of us.

In the context of Ephesians 2, can it be that while I struggle with my own faithfulness and temptation to drift back to the way I “once walked” that God might use me to encourage others to resist doing the same thing? The answer is yes. Pastor Morgan Bailey would say, “God can hit straight with a crooked stick.” Meaning that God, in His wisdom and power can use any of His sons and daughters, even with their imperfections.  There is not one pastor – evangelist – teacher, past present of future that lived a perfect life – even after their new birth.  All of us are drawn to our natural side. That is why Paul was encouraging the Ephesians. Reminding them of where they had come from and encouraging them to resist the temptation of go back there.

 “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33

You are only going to get that kind of encouragement from other Christians.  I was thinking about some kids that I hung out with when I was in grade school. I was about 10 years old I think.  There were three brothers. We did what boys do, but there was more.  They encouraged me to do what I would normally not do. One day, I took money from my mom’s piggy bank – to buy some soda for all of us.  I knew it was wrong even as I stole into her room and took the money but my friends told me that it wasn’t and I wanted to be part of the group so I went along with it. The owner of the local grocery store called my mom and told her that I was spending money in the store. She confronted me and I confessed. That was the end of my association with those brothers.  Not long after, the grocery store owner gave me a job pricing cans, stocking shelves and scrubbing the butcher block – and until today I never connected the two events. There were 9 of us in my family and we lived simply. I guess he knew that and had compassion for us. 

My point – Christians should encourage other Christians to honor God. Those who are not Christians – and some who are but have abandoned the faith, encourage each other to live in a manner that gratifies their lusts – the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Don’t think for a minute that we are all not vulnerable to drifting away from our new life and becoming immersed in a “form of righteousness”.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” – 2 Timothy 3:2-5

Christian, these are spiritually perilous times we live in. Just as many generations have faced before us. Think about it, Paul wrote to the Ephesians nearly 2,000 years ago. We cannot isolate ourselves from the world – God has sent us out to be witnesses to His grace and mercy through His Son. But we must insulate ourselves from the influences of this world.  Jesus was a friend of sinners, and yet did not participate in their sin. Instead, He encouraged them to repentance and restoration. And we should do the same. We cannot live our new life in our own power – but only by the power of God that is in us.

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

God Wants To Use You As A Stepping Stone

“My speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom…” —1 Corinthians 2:4

“Belief in Jesus is a miracle produced only by the effectiveness of redemption, not by impressive speech, nor by wooing and persuading, but only by the sheer unaided power of God. The creative power of redemption comes through the preaching of the gospel, but never because of the personality of the preacher. … If it is only because of my preaching that people desire to be better, they will never get close to Jesus Christ. “And I, if I am lifted up…, will draw all peoples to Myself” (John 12:32).” OSWALD CHAMBERS, My Utmost For His Highest

I have often marveled at how God uses mere men and women to proclaim the Gospel to the world. But we must keep in mind that it is not the messenger but the message that brings salvation.  And not just any message.  I think we often get the “cart before the horse”.  I never precede God … The Spirit of God has always preceded me.  I am but a part, one stepping stone, of the salvation process.  Paul said “Some plant and some water, but God brings the increase.”  (1 Corinthians 3:6) A seed was planted in my step-dad’s heart in 1951 on a hill in Korea.  A Chaplain gave him a bible with a reference to John 1:12 written on the inside cover. “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—”  It was not until 1969 did he pray to receive Jesus as his savior and Lord.  We should not think more of our role in sharing the Gospel with others, but then, we should not think less of it either.  In His wisdom, God has chosen to use us for the hearing, and perhaps seeing, the Gospel.

 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” – Romans 10:14-15

Don’t believe for a minute that you have the power to save. At the same moment, don’t think that you telling someone about Jesus when the Spirit prompts you is not necessary.  You don’t know which stepping stone you are on the path someone takes to salvation.  But God does! We use the term, “leading someone to Christ”. I don’t know that we will have the experience of praying with someone who places their faith in Jesus through our sharing the Gospel. That is not the litmus test for our spirituality.  It is not a prerequisite for your place in heaven – faith in Jesus is. Another point – you don’t have to be school trained to share the gospel with someone – you just need to be empowered by the Spirit. Salvation is the Spirit’s work in the heart of the sinner. You may be the last stepping stone before they are born again – or you may be the first. Which one you are does not matter. What does matter is your willingness to be part of the path they follow. That is our purpose.

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Choosing To Not Be Angry – A Reflection Of Spiritual Fruit

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” – Galatians 5:19-23

Anger – you know the feeling don’t you? That feeling that rises up inside of you? Like a jug quickly filling up with water until it overflows.  You face is flushed.  Your heart is racing. But is it anger? Or is it frustration or disappointment? For men, anger has been referred to as a secondary emotion.  In other words there is something at the root of the anger response being displayed.  Often times the reasons for anger are indistinguishable and their expression through you is likewise indistinguishable.  Many people try to explain how they respond or excuse how they respond to life and problems by pointing to their ancestors and their family’s dominant country of origin. It is inherited, but you have to go way back to find its origin.  All the way back to the Garden. 

I have a little different perspective on anger as an emotional response.  I recall a time when we ran into a plumbing snag at the house we were working on.  It was fixable, but it might cost one or two thousand dollars.  The plumber was talking to me on the phone, almost apologetically because he knew that we are a ministry and the home owner had no money to pay for something like that. I could sense that he was expecting me to be unhappy and perhaps even angry (frustrated – disappointed).  I told him – “Man, I have been in two wars.  Unless someone is dying – I don’t get upset about it” I went on to say I know two things – “God is good” and “Jesus Saves”.  That brought perspective into the issue.  I told him that, in fact, I was happy that I was dealing with the problem and not the home owner.  (Galatians 6:2) “Bear one another’s burdens and thus fulfill the law of Christ.” 

In my personal experience, if I can’t quell my anger – in other words, not let my emotions rule – it is a pretty good indication that I am not fully submitted to the Spirit of God.  People often point to Jesus being angry in the temple, seeking to justify their own anger.  I would say that the next time you go to church and the money changers and vendors are set up in the foyer – go ahead and drive them out with a righteous anger.  But don’t use Jesus as a reason to justify your flesh and sin.  Others who are looking for an excuse for themselves may buy it, but God doesn’t. 

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” –  James 1:2-3

Letting the emotion of anger have its way is a temptation -  a fierce temptation – that will spring on you without notice – like an ambush.  The only way you will “survive” an ambush is if you fight your way through it.  To do that you must have prepared yourself for such an occasion beforehand.  How you do that I will defer for another devotion.  But suffice it to say that the temptation to express anger is no different than any other temptation.  Let me share this verse as a reminder.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” – James 1:13-15

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

There Is No Testimony Without A Test

“…. our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God” – 2 Corinthians 1:12

I love the English language – the way you can turn a phrase. But sometimes we are intrigued by the phrase and fail to comprehend the depth its meaning. 

My testimony of faith to the world – your testimony too – is that we lived by faith – not just having a mental commitment to embracing the Truth – but that our lives were a reflection of our faith. How we live – how we love. Even though the world might persecute us for our clinging to God’s precepts and creative intent, not faltering under the world’s pressure to go along to get along.

I like to watch singing auditions and listen to the stories of those auditioning. Very often they will speak of being bullied – their confidence eroded through unwarranted persecution. Surprised that what was said about them, what they were pressured to believe was untrue. The world has its eyes fixed on people of the Faith.  Christians are being “bullied” by the culture. All you have to so is agree, to abandon what you believe to be true and you will be embraced by that same culture. But our testimony must be that even in the face of rejection by the culture – maybe by friends and family – we remained true to our faith and devotion to God. Like swimming against the tide – it is much easier to just go with the flow. Not nearly so stressful – emotionally painful. To agree what the Word of God is so clear about, being Truth will a capital T, is somehow flawed and must be rejected in favor of the culture’s truth – with a small t.

“God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.” – Romans 1:24-25

I would encourage you to read the whole chapter of Romans 1. It could have been written today. It describes the depravity of a sinful world and the challenges that Christians face. The pressure to conform to the world and its values. The test that we all must face every day.  My goal in writing this is to cause you to think about what is happening around you. To see with the “eyes of your heart” with spiritual understanding. To resist the temptation to sit in your innertube and float through life – going wherever the current takes you – which will be far away from the Truth and the Creator. One of the verses that I memorized as a new Christian was 1 John 5:11-12

“ this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” – 1 John 5:11-12

What a testimony to a world that so desperately needs to see Jesus though the lives of the Saints.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Difference Between Self-Confidence and God-Confidence

“For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.  But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness. Once we are born again, God will ask us to do the impossible for His glory.” – Philippians 3:3-9

Each one of us has a set of unique abilities and experiences that sets us apart from other people, both naturally and spiritually, that is if you are born again.  For most of us, our “go to”, our first choice, is to place our confidence in the natural. The Apostle Paul was a Jew’s Jew – naturally he was superior to nearly every Jewish person he met on the street. He had plenty of reason to be proud, to rest on his laurels if you will.  I suppose that most people knew who he was and what his accomplishments were – maybe thinking they could never be like him. That God must show great favor toward him because of his character and accomplishments. 

But something happened on the road to Damascus – Paul met Jesus – and Paul’s view toward himself and his abilities was turned on its head.  His heart was changed. What he valued, what he put pride in, was no longer what he had done but what Christ had done for him and in him.  He counted everything that made him somebody in his community and among the “Spiritual Elite” as “dung”. Not that they were not, in an of themselves significant, but in comparison the what Jesus had done and was doing – they were less than nothing.

It is not wrong to be accomplished in this life. But we must keep things in perspective.  Keeping in mind from whence we came into this world and to keep who and what we are naturally in its proper perspective.  Everything I am and everything I have done, that is good, is because God created me with certain abilities and aptitudes. Why? For His glory and for others good.  I was going to elaborate my worldly accomplishments, like Paul did, but I think I will let it pass. Suffice it to say that my life experiences and my abilities are unique and impressive to some people. But, they are “dung” in light of what God has done in me and through me.

 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’” – Matthew 16:24-25

We, like Paul, must strive to live our lives in the context of Jesus charge to His disciples.  Taking up my cross means that I lay my natural life and natural dependencies down in favor of my spiritual life and dependence upon God.  There is a spiritual reality that, once you embrace it, changes how you live this natural life.  To embrace it means more than simply acknowledgement.  It means that you live in pursuit of knowing Christ and Him crucified.  Jesus was the example for Paul and Paul, in turn, is an example for us.

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:5-8

Remember the bracelets with WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) on them? Going to the Cross is what Jesus did.  And that is what we are to do as living sacrifices – like Paul. The bracelets were silent testimonies to a world that is dead towards its Creator and a reminder of how we are to live and do. But that bracelet is not what changes us – it the faith and heart change that the world needs to see.  That is our testimony and demonstration of what it means to be a Christian – born again – children of the Creator God.

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

Does God Expect You To Do The Impossible? All The Time

 Our life of faith is all about the impossible. (Luke 18:26-27) “Those who heard this asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’” Jesus had just spoken to a wealthy young man who thought that doing the right things in the sight of people was what was necessary to be right before God.  The fact is, as human beings whose roots are firmly planted in the Garden and the sin of Adam, there is nothing we can do apart from Jesus to be right with God.

Once we are born again, God will ask us to do the impossible for His glory.  Come to think about it, even our rebirth was impossible apart from the intervention of God, the Father, the work of Jesus, the Son, on the Cross, and the inhabiting of the Spirit of God. Oh, the thought of doing what God asks of us strikes fear in the hearts of most Christians.  For the rest, it at least gives them opportunity to doubt.  Like when Peter walked on the water but then began to sink. (Matthew 14:29-31) “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” 

Human ability is not in question.  Of course you can’t do what God asks without faith and His mighty power.  That is why Proverbs 3 says trust God and not yourself.  That takes faith.  Do you remember when Jesus told the disciples to feed the people? (Matthew 15:32-33) “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.’ His disciples answered, ‘Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?’”

Jesus was asking the disciples to do what was humanly im-possible (my emphasis).  Imagine putting one chicken leg on the table with your family gathered around to eat.  Impossible, for men.  In the same way, every day we are faced with doing the impossible.  Going beyond ourselves to do what only God can do through us by faith.  And as soon as we take our eyes off of Jesus and depend upon our own puny abilities, we begin to sink. We wonder, “How can I possibly do this? There are so many obstacles in the way.”  The Bible is replete with stories of the impossible, but I suspect that most if not all of us think that those stories were for another time and place. They certainly don’t apply to our lives.  The thing is – it’s the same God – the same world – just different people. It is me, not Peter or the other disciples – it is just this disciple – or maybe you.

So, what has God asked you to do that you have rejected as being impossible.  Maybe something you are facing today.  Something that you have decided is beyond you and so you will not do what is so clearly the prompting of the Spirit of God.  Perhaps you need to re-think that decision, or more correctly re-faith it.  Trust God. Walk by faith and not by sight.  Nothing is impossible with God.  Never has been and never will be. (Joshua 1:9) “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” To do what I am suggesting you need to be strong in your faith.  Courage is action in spite of your understanding what the natural consequences could be. So what are you waiting for? 

“I (you) can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (you).” – Philippians 4:13

Believe it – walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

When A Husband Loves A Wife And When A Wife Loves A Husband

The other day, as I was leafing through the pages of my Bible, I notice a diagram I had made from either a sermon or a teaching some years back.  The diagram depicted a simple truth.  God loves us and because of that love we are to love others.  You can find that in Matthew 22:37-39 when Jesus condensed all of the Law into two commands – Love God and Love Others.  Also in 1 John 4:19 – We love because He loved us first.  Love is so important which is why Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

That love is at the root of a marriage relationship or should be if that relationship is to glorify God and be what He intended it to be. If the relationship is based on something else, then it will fall short.  Well – there’s more – in Ephesians 5:25 – Paul wrote that husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church.  Meaning that the husband must be willing to lay his life down for his wife.  Give up his dreams even.  The husband has been given great responsibility as the head of the wife.  With responsibility comes authority.  The problem is that many men want to cling to the authority part and shirk their responsibility as the “spiritual” head of the family.  In 1 Peter 2 and 3, Peter wrote about submission. That wives should submit to their husbands.  Submit to what? His God-given authority and his god honoring exercise of that authority and responsibility. In today’s “progressive” culture, many woman struggle with this.  Why? Because they don’t trust their husbands to NOT abuse their authority and shirk their responsibility. But – Peter goes on to say “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.”

In Ephesians 5:22-24 Paul talks about mutual submission out of reverence for Christ. “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.”

All of this love and submission is in the context of our faith and not our natural life.  The problem is that many see it as problematic because they are looking at it through the lens of their natural, sinful life and not with spiritual understanding. 

The bottom line is that success in marriage is dependent upon both partners mutually submitted to each other and both submitted to the Spirit of God– loving each other with the love of God. And if things don’t seem to be working that way – you need to evaluate your heart.  When a marriage fails, most assuredly the culprit will be our sin nature.  And if you are unevenly yoked to begin with – meaning one of you is not a Christian – that does not relieve the Christian of their responsibility to obey God.  There is so much more to be said – but so many have already said it.  Love each other just like Jesus and the Father loves you. It takes faith to do that.

Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

If We Have The Son, We Have Eternal Life

“He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” — 1 John 5:10-12

John made it pretty clear didn’t he?  If we have the Son – if we have placed our faith in the work that Jesus did on the Cross then we have eternal life.  I think it is important for me to remember that truth – every day. That Truth should change the way you and I view the world and what happens in it, the way we do things, what and the way we love things. I listened to a sermon about this subject yesterday.  It was like hearing the song Jesus Loves Me again – so simple and yet so profound.

“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach):  that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:8-10

Confess and Believe – so simple – but that is only the beginning of our new life - our spiritual journey. The  start of our new life in Christ – that will culminate in Heaven.  Do you believe that? I hope so. I write these BLOG posts with the hope that the Spirit of God will use them to stir your heart to pursue God the Father and His righteousness through Jesus by the power of the Spirit and the revelation of His will for us through His word. I heard the pastor pray, “I’ve got nothing to say, Lord let me get out of the way!” That is how I feel about what I write each morning.  "Lord, speak!"

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” – 2 Corinthians 2:9-14

God uses His Spirit to teach us – to reveal deep truths to us – timeless truths that can only be understood by the power of His Spirit.  The Father uses His children to communicate those truths to a lost world and then the Spirit of God illuminates that truth and confirms it in the hearts of the hearers.  Of course the natural man cannot understand them because he lacks the Spirit of God. He rejects them as foolishness and even hateful because they are contrary to his heart's desire to sin. But for some, there is a yielding of the heart and belief in what is heard and a miracle happens. Pretty simple and deeply profound.

I trust that you will yield your heart to the Spirit of God – receive His teaching as it was intended – which is to mold you into the image of the Son. To stir the embers in your heart so your light might burn brightly in a dark world that is in desperate need of a Savior – even Jesus Christ.

Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

God's Peace What It Is And What It Is Not

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled…” — John 14:27

“Whenever we experience something difficult in our personal life, … Our attitude must be one of complete reliance on God. […] God’s mark of approval, whenever you obey Him, is peace. He sends an immeasurable, deep peace; not a natural peace, “as the world gives,” but the peace of Jesus. […] If you are acting on your own impulse, or out of a sense of the heroic, to be seen by others, the peace of Jesus will not exhibit itself. […] Any problem that comes while I obey God (and there will be many), increases my overjoyed delight, because I know that my Father knows and cares, and I can watch and anticipate how He will unravel my problems.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For Hid Highest

What is your expectation of God with respect to your faith and everyday living?  Do you think that God is obligated to make certain that you do not have to endure hardship?  That nothing “bad” will happen to you or the ones you love?  No injury, no heartbreak, no death, no failure, no loss?  That is a problem.  The Bible does not promise that … God’s theme song might be “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden!” In fact Jesus said (John 16:33) “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Our peace is in Jesus – supernatural peace … peace in spite of the circumstances you find yourself in this world you live in .. a world full of sinners.  Peace is a fruit of the Spirit .. in spite of your circumstances … Because of your spiritual perspective you see life, as it happens, differently. Oh, you wanted to avoid experiencing anything unpleasant and was hoping that your rebirth would provide that for you.  Sorry!  But that does not mean that you can’t experience joy while your feet are still on terra firma.  Joy, another fruit of the Spirit.  Are you hoping the world will somehow get better over time?  Not going to happen.  Sin begets sin.  Hurt people hurt people.  The answer is Jesus.  He is the Hope of Heaven.  James said (James 1:2-4) “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

Look!  All of us have experienced and are experiencing difficulties in this life.  God showed His grace and mercy by sending a Redeemer – Jesus. And then He sent a Spiritual Helper – the Holy Spirit. And through Jesus, He established the Church.  Let your light shine. The world wants to snuff out your candle.  To replace Jesus with its god – money. Let your light burn brightly.  Let people know that our Redeemer lives! He is Jesus the King.  He is the Christ.  The Son of God.  Who takes away the sins of the world.  Shout hallelujah! And thank God for His wonderful gift … (Ephesians 2:8-9) “…saved by faith … it is a gift from God” Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

The Good Samaritan Wore A COVID Mask

“Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.” —Luke 10:30-33

Did you know that you don’t wear a mask to protect yourself but to protect others? It’s true! If you have the virus there is about a 90% chance that you won’t give it to the people around you. If both have masks it increases to 95%.  Why I am writing about this in a devotion? Our second daughter drove in from Atlanta for my wife's, Martie, birthday.  We were talking about her work when she told me that the company she works for has a policy that that all employees must comply with CDC guidelines for COVID at work or they will be fired. One of her coworkers told her that the only reason he wears a mask is so he doesn’t get fired. He is not concerned about anyone but himself. I asked her if he was being beaten and robbed in an alley, would he think it was alright if she walked by saying, “It is not my problem”? That is when the Good Samaritan popped into my mind.

The very ones who you thought would have had compassion towards the man in the ditch did not – they were only concerned about themselves. They could recite scripture from memory to impress others with their spirituality, but when it came to applying it to their lives? Well, it was all about them – everybody else was on their own.  They were not about to have their life interrupted by someone else – they had problems of their own and were not going to be inconvenienced for the good of someone else.  I have listen to people rant about wearing a mask. When you boil it down – it is the same as that parable. As a Christian, why would you not wear a mask for the good of others? Probably the first reason is that you don’t really care about others – you just don’t want to be inconvenienced. Oh, that would not be your go-to reason – but that is the essence of the reluctance.

“For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” – Luke 6:43-45

My goal is to encourage you to have spiritual perspective on your life and those things that are happening around you. I hope I have today. It is all about loving your neighbor – bearing one another’s burdens – laying your life down for others. The elementary things of our faith that get lost in everyday living on this planet.

Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

You Don’t Have To Accept The Sin To Love The Sinner

“If we walk in the light as He is in the light…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” —1 John 1:7

“The evidence that I have been delivered from sin is that I know the real nature of sin in me. […] And it is not until we truly perceive the unrivaled power of the Spirit in us that we understand the meaning of 1 John 1:7 , which says, “…the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” This verse does not refer only to conscious sin, but also to the tremendously profound understanding of sin which only the Holy Spirit in me can accomplish. I must “walk in the light as He is in the light…”— not in the light of my own conscience, but in God’s light. […] On the conscious level it produces a keen, sorrowful knowledge of what sin really is. The love of God working in me causes me to hate, with the Holy Spirit’s hatred for sin, anything that is not in keeping with God’s holiness. To “walk in the light” means that everything that is of the darkness actually drives me closer to the center of the light.” Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

People often mistake freedom from sin with freedom to sin.  Another mistake we make is thinking that “hating” sin means that we must hate the person who is sinning as well. We throw the baby out with the bath water, if you will.  Then on the other hand, the temptation is to embrace the sin as well as the sinner. That, it seems, is the easier path that many Christians travel.  Particularly if they struggle with their own sin.  If we love our culture.  If we embrace what our culture offers or promotes as truth and right, even though the Word of God says it is a lie and wrong, then that is exactly where we are.  It is not a function of what we have but what has us.  Listen, freedom from sin is not freedom to sin.  It is really not OK.  The problem is, so many “Christians” are in love with the world and the things of the world.  If we look at other Christians and not Jesus, we can find justification for what we do and don’t do very easily.  We are not to love our neighbor and then love for God will result.  It is the other way around.  Love God and then you will love others because of our love for God and His love for us.  (1 John 4:19)

Jesus was called a friend of sinners and was criticized for it by the religious elite.  The same ones that Jesus said were “whitewashed tombs filled with dead men’s bones.” I want you to think about where your heart is and where your priorities are.  Jesus said to the adulteress that he did not condemn her but that she should go and sin no more. He called her to repentance.  That is loving her and hating her sin.  It is an attitude of love that dwells in the heart that loves God.  Loving God and not loving the natural world is not an option, it’s a command.  Just like the fish swimming in the sea, we can live our lives in a sinful world and not have what is in the water change us inside. Think about Jesus eating dinner with sinners and tax collectors – the very ones He came to save. Oh, but that was Jesus you say – that is not in my power to do that. You are correct. But the power to do that is in you if you have been born again by the Spirit of God through faith in the One who did.  And if in the oft chance that you think I am making this up – read this

“I (we) have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” – Galatians 2:20

Oh – it is possible but only by the power of Jesus in us – the world needs to see Jesus and the way it will is by seeing Jesus expressed by the way we live our lives.

Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone

How To Survive A Disaster Or Two

“I [Jesus] have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”” —John 16:33

So just when you thought 2020 was over and there might be light at the end of the COVID tunnel and it was not a train – you discover it is a train – called URI.  There was no diverting it to some other path.  All we could do was watch and wait.  Some people prepared – some did not.  Some people left – some people stayed.  It didn’t matter what anyone did, really – the winter storm was following its course and there was no stopping it.  Leaving destruction in its wake, the storm has moved on – like so many natural disasters – we would like it to be a memory – but the aftermath is still fresh – painful for many.  And the thing is – there are more storms coming – maybe not this winter, but they are coming – of that you can be certain. I told someone the other day that Martie and I have traveled to places that have suffered from Mother Nature’s wrath, but now that we are in Texas, the storms come to us.

Jesus is the source of peace in the midst of trouble.  Not FEMA. Not a Red Cross shelter. Not even a hotel far from the path of the storm.  Not alcohol. Not Denial. Not medication. Only Jesus.  That, my friend, is a spiritual truth.  The world will offer everything but Jesus.  I am currently running a warehouse that is supplying emergency food, water and plumbing supplies to the survivors – we don’t call them victims any more – not sure why.  The house will be comfortable when we are done, but it’s just a house.  Helping with the homes is a concern – restoring water, but the main concern is the hearts of the people who will live in the home.  When Peter and John were stopped by the lame man at the gate of the temple .. he was asking for money – a material solution to his plight – and certainly he needed food and money to buy it.  But Peter said (Acts 3:6) “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” The man had a physical problem – but underlying that was a spiritual problem that needed a spiritual solution.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” – James 1:2-4

Your faith will be tested if you have a faith to be tested.  We may offer help with rebuilding to those who have no means to change their circumstance, but more importantly we offer Hope through faith in the One who is the source of all Hope. 

We are all going to face problems in this life – COVID – URI – the next Hurricane – or some other malady.  The question is, “Where will we turn in those times of need and uncertainty?”  Here is a thought ….

(Psalm 121)

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel; Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; The Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, Nor the moon by night.

The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul.

The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in; From this time forth, and even forevermore”

Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone