Finding Joy When Things Aren't Going Your Way

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places." - Habakkuk 3:17-19 (pronounce "huh-back-uck")

We have been teaching Experiencing God to Christians who want to know and do the will of God for their lives for a number of years.  But we have found that not every Christian, and might I say, not most Christians want to know that much. Being saved from their sin is quite enough for them. That is a good thing, of course! But there is so much more to our new life.

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

While knowing the will of God for me is humbling and cool. Doing the will of God - walking and living in obedience to His will is not necessarily easy. We have been called to be salt and light in a sin-sick world.  God does not pull us out of that world but sends us into it to proclaim the Gospel and tell people about Jesus. Not just by what we say, but in the way we live and respond to what life brings our way.

"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. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." - James 1:2-6

We are cautioned throughout the Bible, in particular in the New Testament, that we are going to face trials as born-again Believers. That our going will not be easy. The danger is that when we encounter trials, we will let them discourage us and question the rightness of what we are doing. As if we imagine that God is going ahead of us clearing the obstacles in the road before we get there. And if we run up against an obstacle, well - there must be a problem.  We must have made a wrong turn. I have often said, tongue in cheek, "Ministry would be easy if people weren't involved!" Very often the people we have the most trouble with are people serving alongside us. We forget that we are all sinners saved by grace and unfortunately, not everyone is operating in the power of the Spirit, but the flesh. Including us.

"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." - John 16:33

You can take that to the bank!

Be careful that you do not let discouragement tempt you to give up. To lose heart. What we do for God we do by the power of God. So how do you count it all joy, when it is not very joyful? Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, not a right attitude. It is joy in spite of your circumstances, not because of them. If you listen to your flesh and yield to it, you are going to miss God.

Think about it – Pray about it – 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 Agent For Transformation

"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 12:2

Some years back there was a TV add making a pitch for nutrition that said, "You are what you eat". That idea has a spiritual application. IN the context of Romans 12:2, rather doing what the world is doing - conforming our way of life and thinking to the world's, which comes naturally BTW, we are, instead, to be transformed from our old nature to our new nature. Changed like a caterpillar to a butterfly. So how does that transformation happen? What we do, say, think, desire is a reflection of our hearts. The change agent is the Holy Spirit, that catalytic agent is the Word of God. The place where the change takes place is in our hearts. And that change on the inside is manifested on the outside.

"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:18

As you know, when we are saved by faith, we are sealed by the Spirit of God (Ephesians 1:13) and the Spirit now resides in us (1 Corinthians 6:19). The Spirit is the change agent. He makes it possible for us to have a spiritual relationship with the Father. We will need the Spirit until we are face to face with Jesus. 

"Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." - 1 Corinthians 15:51-53

There are some whose spiritual growth is stunted - although it may have been years since their rebirth, the are still spiritual infants. The disciplines of the faith - the Word, prayer, witnessing, fellowship with other Believers is absent in their lives.  You might call it spiritual anorexia.  

Our lives should be marked by a hunger for the Word of God. If a Christian is not hungry - it is most likely because they have a love problem. 

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Hurry Up And Wait

"Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall. But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:28-31

A song that uses verse 31 goes on to say, "Teach me Lord, teach me Lord to wait. In the Army there is a saying, "Hurry up and wait." The whole idea behind that is you must be ready to go before it's time to go not get ready when it is time to go. Do you know anyone who waits until the last minute to get ready. It's not like they didn't know the time to leave was 10:00am, but they wait until the last minute to get ready and are typically never ready on time. And when it is time to go, they remember 6 things they have forgotten. 

My wife always teases me about that. We are never, or nearly never, late for anything. We nearly always arrive early.  So much for confessions from the Elgin household! We just saw our granddaughter and her young family off. They were down for a visit. They said they were leaving and left the house, but then we had to take pictures. Then we moved toward to cars. But wait! Where is the oldest great grandchild. Found, in the house putting fingernail polish on that she had just received as a gift. 

There is a parable about that in Matthew 25. Ten virgins going to meet the Bridegroom, but only 5 had oil in their lamps.  The other 5 were not prepared.  The moral is that we should always be prepared - spiritually - for whatever comes our way. 

"Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead." - Matthew 8:19-22

It is not just about being willing to wait on the Lord or to be ready as we wait, but being willing to go and do whatever, whenever and wherever the Lord leads us. 

Where has the Lord taken you? Or where does He want to take you? What has He asked you to do? Are you ready and willing?  

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Positive Transfer Of The Control

"When the men of Israel saw that they were in trouble (for the people were hard pressed), the people hid themselves in caves and in holes and in rocks and in tombs and in cisterns, and some Hebrews crossed the fords of the Jordan to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was still at Gilgal, and all the people followed him trembling. He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from him. So, Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering. As soon as he had finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came. And Saul went out to meet him and greet him. Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines had mustered at Michmash, I said, ‘Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the favor of the Lord.’ So, I forced myself, and offered the burnt offering.” And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you." 1 Samuel 13:6-13

If you remember what happened next, God removed Saul's anointing as king and chose David a shepherd boy in his place. The consequence of disobedience. But that is not the reason I shared this story. My point today is that it is all too easy to trust in ourselves and not in God when we are facing adversity.  I remember a story my instructor pilot (IP) told me. I was learning to fly the Chinook - CH-47. He had been in Iran, during the Shah's regime (a long time ago) training Iranian pilots to fly the Chinook. There was an incident in the aircraft and the Iranian student pilot took his hands off of the controls and said "Allah wills!" to which the IP replied "He may will that for you but not for me!" Then he took control of the helicopter and landed it safely. (Ok, I debated about adding this bit of trivial. We are taught to do a positive three-way transfer of controls. Pilot not flying says "I have the controls. Pilot flying says "You have the controls" visually checking to see the other pilot does indeed have their hands and feet on the controls. The pilot taking control of the aircraft repeats "I have the controls.")

We are faced with decisions like this every day. Do I do this myself or do I trust God. Someone once said, "Do all you can and leave the rest to God". Maybe that is what Saul was thinking. But I don't think so.  God sees the heart. Saul was halfhearted with respect to his devotion to God. Samuel had told Him what God said about the matter. Saul looked at his circumstances and feared men more than he feared God. I don't think it was about the sacrifice, but it was about Saul's lack of faith and his disobedience. 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." - Proverbs 3:5-8

Those are easy words to read but difficult when you are faced with intensity of life. Have you transferred control of your life to God. Is He the pilot in command or merely the copilot watching you fly. 

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

It's Not How You Feel

"These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." - Psalm 42:4-5

Our feelings can run away with us. Cause us to imagine things, say things, and do things that are contrary to our new natures but oh so consistent with our old ones. It is all too easy to get caught up in the moment and forget that we know whom we have believed and were persuaded that He is able to do that which we have committed unto Him until that Day.

"Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these." - Galatians 5:19-21

As quick as the blink of an eye or the snap of a finger and our old nature is raging. It is as if we never knew Jesus at all. Oh, this new life is a strange one is it not?  Just when I thought I was over the struggle, my old nature raises its ugly head. So, what happened? It is really simple. I became self-confident. Or put another way, confident in myself.

"My son do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So, you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones." - Proverbs 3:1-7

Sin is crouching at the door (Genesis 4:7) waiting for the opportunity. We must always be on our guard. So long as we are living life on earth, our new nature will be in conflict with our old nature. Perhaps it is God's way of keeping Him in our focus.

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Winning By Surrendering

"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

Pastor Bob Barlow, pastor of a small church in Savannah, Georgia would always say, "When you read the word 'Therefore' look to see what it is 'there for'." So, what is the "therefore" there-for in Romans 12:1?

"Concerning the gospel, they (Israel) are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all. Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!" - Romans 11:28-33

Therefore, because God showed us such grace and mercy while we were yet sinners offer yourself as a living sacrifice. It is only reasonable given what He has done.

When we were born, we were destined for defeat. We fight our whole lives for survival and victory.  Yet, at the end of our natural lives, it matters not what we have achieved in our lifetime.  The wealth or fame that we have accumulated. Dust to Dust. And then the judgement. Apart from salvation by faith in Jesus, we are hell bent.

The only way that we can win the eternal struggle is by surrendering - offer ourselves a living sacrifice to God - it is only reasonable considering the great Sacrifice the God the Father sent Jesus the Son to make for us.  Martie and I were part of Campus Crusade for Christ Military Ministry - we still are. The leader of that part of Campus Crusade would say "It's all about Jesus and all about Grace". Another friend when asked what he thinks, always replies, "Jesus Saves" Those are eternal and immutable truths.  The essence of God's solution for man's sin.

The way we win in life is to surrender. To admit defeat. Jesus has already won the eternal battle for the souls of men and women. Hallelujah! 

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Talk To Him - He Did It

"Jesus said to him, Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed. He answered them, He who made me well said to me, Take up your bed and walk. Then they asked him, Who is the Man who said to you, Take up your bed and walk? But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you. The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well." John 5:8-15

I am certain that you are familiar with this account of the healing of the lame man.  A man devoid of any hope. No one to help him. Alone. Desperate. And then one day, he met Jesus. That may be like your story. No hope of your life getting any better.  No one to help. And then one day you met Jesus. 

Like the lame man. And the blind man. And so many others. You can't explain it. I was blind but now I see. I was lame and now I can walk. I was struggling with an addiction and now I am free. We don't know how He did it, but He did. Like the Sam and Dave song. " [Jesus] (sic) You didn't have to love me like you did but you did and I thank you. You didn't have to do what you did, but you did. And I thank you."

Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. Most people probably would have labeled me as a nice guy before I was saved. I probably was. I drank too much after I came back from Vietnam. Way too much. Call it PTSD - whatever. I associated with other guys, Vets, who drank too much too and so we saw it as OK. But it wasn't. But one day I met Jesus and He said rise up and walk. I was convicted of my sins - they were not limited to excessive drinking - my sin problem did not start because of Vietnam or alcohol. I was born a sinner. Just like every other person who has taken their first breath on this planet. And just like the blind man and the lame man had a testimony, we do too. 

"The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well" And we should do the same. 

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

You Are Not A Salesman

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" - 1 Peter 3:15

TV commercials, billboards on the highway, pop-up ads, in your mailbox, or on your computer or smart phone.  Our minds, and our hearts, are pummeled by some very savvy promoters of anything you can think of.  Things that capture our attention - speak to the desires of our flesh. Sometimes we don't even know that we want something until someone shows us something. Something that will save all of our problems - or not. Like the fruit on the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Ads make appeals to our senses. For a good reason. It is the cravings of our flesh our flesh the often leads us to make decisions that are not in our best interest.

"For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." - 1 John 2:16

That is what makes sharing the Gospel so interesting to me.  The Gospel does not appeal to our flesh. In fact, just the opposite. It condemns the works of the flesh as sinful. It urges the hearer to admit their failings and surrender to Jesus as Lord. To be willing to sacrifice their old way of life and embrace a new life in Christ. To consider what they once craved and thought key to their happiness as worthless. 

"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." - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

We all have been given a ministry of reconciliation. We are not selling the Gospel, we are proclaiming it. We are living testimonies. What we are sharing with people is spiritual truth. We are ambassadors of Christ. We don't have a quota, but we do have a command. It is not a contest to see how many people we can save. We are spreading the Good News that Jesus saves! We are not saving anyone. People don't respond to us but the Spirit of God and the revelation that they are a sinner and God loves them.

You are not a salesman - you are a witness giving testimony that Jesus Saves!

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Living Rightly In The Game Of Life

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law, he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. The wicked are not so but are like chaff that the wind drives away." - Psalm 1:1-4

I love Psalm 1. It is a simple reminder of the things I should avoid as a travel through this life and the things I should do as a child of God. Do you like to be reminded of your failures? Not those times when you did your best, but you failed.  Those times when you chose poorly. You made a decision that did not reflect who you are in Christ. I know I certainly don't. Never did and never will! Just as soon talk about something else. If I am honest, it pains my heart when I think about it. 

Oh, if only Life was like the game of solitaire. You know, you get to a point in the game where there are no more moves. The cards you need are face down and you can't get to them. So, you just reshuffle and play again. The last game forgotten. Like it never happened. But life is not like that, is it? 

In the Game of life, we don't get to reshuffle the deck. And we don't get to pretend that what just happened, didn't happen. Oh, we can pretend that it didn't happen. Like the ostrich, we can put our head in the sand and not look. But that does not mean we will escape the consequences. That the lion will not eat us! Unconfessed sin can be ignored but it also can be debilitating. It will affect our relationships. Relationships with both God and man.

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." - 1 John 1:5-10

Listen - I know this is a tough "read". We don't like to think about the times we have missed the mark. When we sin, we miss the mark that God has placed on the target of life and relationships, with Him and with others. We can't undo the fault or sin by simply reshuffling the deck, but we can confess and repent. God's forgiveness is certain because He sees the heart and knows whether our confession and repentance are sincere. For people, you may not find forgiveness comes so easily. Trust is an easy thing to lose and a hard thing to win back. With people, you might be forgiven but you will have to prove that you have indeed repented. They can't see your heart like God does. They don't know if you are sincere and can be trusted. That takes time - a promise is not enough.

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." - Romans 12:18

If that is you today then my encouragement is to get your heart right with God and seek forgiveness from others.  Be prepared to live with the consequences if the Lord chooses not to remove them. If someone chooses to not forgive you - well that is a consequence of sin and living in the world. Just know that God does forgive you. Keep your eyes and hope fixed on Him.

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Put Your Hope In God

"And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

A.W. Tosier - "“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply."  I was talking to a friend of mine today about events in both of our lives where the malady we faced could have easily ended in our deaths, and yet, we survived against the odds. In my case the Cardiologist told me that in all of his experience he had never seen anyone survive what had happened to me. I don't believe that it was a stochastic, simply luck, that I had survived. Instead, I believe that it was that the Lord was not done with me yet. He spared me for His purpose. That there was still something for me to do.

I will carry the effects of that time in my life until the day I see Jesus face to face.  Like Paul, the events in my friend's and my life and the physical ramifications of those events have proven to be thorns in our flesh. They are daily reminders that our dependence is upon the providence and grace of God. We should not lose heart when we face adversity but look to God for strength for today.

"We do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day." - 2 Corinthians 4:16

Renewed day by day because our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus and His righteousness. On Christ the solid rock we stand. All other ground is sinking sand.

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." - Psalm 43:5

Friends - no matter how hard the trial - no matter what the outcome - you are resting in the palm of His hand. Jesus said ...

"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." - John 16:33

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Who Can Understand The Bible

"But as it is written: 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. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:9-16

"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." When you and I were born again we were sealed with and by the Spirit of God (Ephesians 1). That set us apart spiritually from the rest of the world. Enabled us to understand Spiritual truth. To understand the spiritual truth of the Bible as intended by God.  Our Bibles are written in languages that anyone who can read the language can recognize the words and read the sentences. But - only those born again by the Spirit (John3) can understand what the Writer intended. The reason is that the Bible is a spiritual book. And the lost are dead spiritually.

"But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood (for some spiritual childhood - babes in Christ) you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (God-breathed), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." - 2 Timothy 3:14-17

You want to hear God's voice? Read the Bible - He will speak to you - stir your heart by His Spirit. You want to explain Bible verses to the lost - you are wasting your time - you are speaking a spiritual language that they cannot understand - even though they hear the words that they know. It never reaches the heart. But even though you cannot explain it with human reasoning and knowledge, the Spirit can use it to bring conviction and hopefully repentance leading to salvation. Sharing the Gospel message can and should include sharing the Word of God. But it is not you that will bring conviction. 

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;" - 1 Peter 3:15

When the Spirit prompts you - speak. Someone once said "Preach the gospel at all times. And if necessary, use words." 

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Standing Before God With Clean Feet

"Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” "Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean" - John 13:3-10

The meaning of washing feet in Hebrew as per the Bible encompasses themes of hospitality, humility, purity, service, forgiveness, and leadership, all of which hold profound spiritual significance in the Hebrew cultural context and continue to carry symbolic importance in Christian traditions today. - Dr. Mark Tolbert, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Many Christians practice foot washing for any number of reasons mentioned by Dr. Tolbert.

However, I think there was another point to be made by Jesus when Peter asked Jesus to wash his whole body. Whatever Jesus did or said had a spiritual point He was making. Jesus said, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet but is completely clean." When we are born again it is once forever. We don't need to be saved again and again. But we do need to be right before God. We are washed in the blood of Jesus, but we can only stand before a Holy God with clean feet.  Like Moses at the burning bush, God told him to remove his sandals because he was standing on holy ground.

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us." - 1 John 1:8-10

As we journey in this life our feet get dirty - in other words, we sin. Like Peter, we need to have our feet washed, but not our whole body. So many Christians ignore their sin and live as if all is well spiritually between them and the father when it is not. Recall confession means agreement not revelation. God already knows about our sin. We are merely agreeing with God that we have sinned, and we repent. 

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

A Christian's Role (Your Role) In The World

 "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." - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

We have been separated out of the world as ministers of the Gospel - all of us not just some of us.  The Bible is clear about that. However, most Christians do not have a clear understanding of what that role entails. The pastor of our church told us that the point of the Gospel is to "overthrow the heart of man". In other words - the Gospel changes hearts. Changing people from lovers of themselves to those who love the Creator God and are saved by faith in His Son. A Christian's focus and heart is to be on God while the lost are focused on and hearts are devoted to the world. People want to know who or what you are for. Republican - Democrat. That is the big one right now. Are you a Vaxer or anti-vaxer. For Israel or Palestine. For open or closed the borders. For guns or no guns.  For more money for Ukraine or no money for Ukraine. And then there is the list of moral issues. Oh, there is so much to be for and against. 

The great dividing question is do you believe that Jesus is the Christ - the Redeemer of mankind or not. 

"When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 16:13-17

That is the message of reconciliation that all Christians are to share with the World. The truth of it can only be understood through a spiritual revelation from God. 

And so, we are called to love, equipped to love, and we are sent to love. Love is the first fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians chapter 5. Love is the cornerstone of the first and second greatest commandments in Matthew 22. Love God and Love Others. 

"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:13-16

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Living A Trouble-Free Life

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience [perseverance] have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind." - James 1:2-6

So, because you are born again by faith there are some things that are true and will never change. You have been forgiven, redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb. You have been adopted into the family of God, promised an eternal inheritance. Your eternal destiny is no longer hell, but heaven. 

"I [Jesus] do not pray that You [Father God] should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." - John 17:15-17

One other thing that is true, you will face trouble so long as you have breath and a heartbeat in this world.  You will be disappointed, betrayed, sick, lose loved ones to death, face all sorts of troubles and worries of this world - even though you are born again. But you have been spiritually sanctified.  There is a saying that many people think is a Bible verse but it is actually a refence to Jesus praying to the Father - "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world", it is "We are in the world but not of the world." I am certain you can see the connection.  

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." - Philippians 3:20-21

We are not in heaven yet, but we are bound for "Beulah Land".  Beulah Land is a reference from Pilgrim's Progress - “the peaceful land in which the pilgrim awaits the call to the Celestial City”.

"I'm kind of homesick for a country To which I've never been before.
No sad goodbyes will there be spoken For time won't matter anymore.

I'm looking now, just across the river To where my faith, shall end in sight 
There's just a few more days to labor. Then I will take my heavenly flight.

Beulah Land I'm longing for you and some day on thee I'll stand. 
There my home shall be eternal Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land" - Squire Parsons, Beulah Land, 1973

So, one thing that is not true is that, as a Christian you will live a trouble-free life in this lifetime. The Bible does not promise that. But you can live your life and not be troubled by your trouble. How you ask?

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

The fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. All possible for the Christian by the presence of and our submission to the Spirit of God. It is a supernatural ability that only Christians have. That's how! 

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Having Spiritual Discernment

"Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore, give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. .....Then God said to him [Solomon]: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you." - 1 Kings 3:8-9, 11-12

Of course, that was Solomon praying to God and God answering him. Notice that Solomon's focus was not on himself but on the good of others. All of us need spiritual discernment. We need to see the world as it is. We need to be like watchmen on the wall for the good of others, family, friends, other Believers and the lost. Like the mighty men of David. Specifically, the sons of Issachar. 

"of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" - 1 Chronicles 12:32

Having discernment so that we might know what we ought to do in a world running full on toward the gates of hell.  Paul prayed for the church at Phillipi -

"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ," - Philippians 1:9-10

And where does the discernment come from? Paul prayed for the Colossian church, 

"For this reason, we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding." - Colossians 1:9

Spiritual discernment develops in the life of any Believer who is submitted to the Spirit of God and is seeking God's truth through the Word of God by the grace of God. We don't decide to be wise but become wise as a result of our pursuit of God and seeking His wisdom. And all that not for our own benefit but for the good of others and the glory of God.

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Semper Fi

"Therefore, we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" - Hebrews 12:1

I got my oil changed today.  While I was sitting in my truck - I noticed a young man working. He had a short haircut - I will call it a high and tight, military cut and wore a web belt that was clearly had been part of a military uniform. When they finished the oil change, I asked him if he had served in the military. He told me he had, 4 years in the Marine Corps.  We chatted for a few minutes, I told him essentially that you can take the man or woman out of the military, but you can't take the military out of them. As I rolled up my window I said "Semper Fi" and he said, "thank you". And I drove off.  

Semper Fi is short for Semper Fidelis which means Always Faithful. There is a saying, "once a Marine, always a Marine!" It is in the heart. Just like with that young man.  Always faithful, "Am I?", I wondered as I drove away. Can people see Jesus in me like I saw the influence of the military in that young man? Oh, I hope so. 

There is so much opportunity to be unfaithful toward God. The ten commandments speak to being faithful to God - not having any other loves the came before Him. 

"You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments." - Exodus 20:3-6

God expects us to be faithful and not live an adulterous life. Loving the world more than we love Him. 

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - 1 John 2:15

Being faithful is being full of faith in God - devoted to Him having abandoned our affection for the world. We need to be so careful. Being a Christian is more than having a short haircut and wearing a belt from a military uniform or having a WWJD bracelet or a cross on a necklace. It's who you are on the inside that God sees. It is the reflection of Jesus on the outside that the world needs to see.

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Is Your Faith Homogenous or Heterogeneous?

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one" - John 17:20-22

Do you remember the definition of homogeneous and heterogeneous?  Simply.  Homogeneous is the same. Heterogeneous is different.  When Jesus was praying to the Father about His disciples and future Believers - Christians - being One it meant although they were distinctly different - like the Father and the Son - they were One. Although we are distinctly different - we should be One.

What makes us different? Well things like, our ethnicity, our culture, our language, our citizenship or nationality, our musical preferences, economics, geography, our age, our worship preferences, the translation of the Bible we abide by. These are all things natural - common to every human being.

So, what makes us the same in spite of those differences? Our faith, our citizenship in heaven, being born again and adopted as children of our heavenly Father, the Spirit of God who dwells in us, our eternal destiny.

The question is what is it that defines how we engage the world and other Christians? Our differences or our commonality? All too often our differences, the natural, are what keeps us from embracing one another in our oneness. Someone one said that the most segregated hour in the week is Sunday morning worship. How we congregate inside the church is not the measure of our oneness. It is how we live our lives outside of the church building that is the true testimony of our faith. Are we willing to cross the road to help a person in need - even if they are not like us. Like the good Samaritan. That what a disciple of Jesus would and will do. 

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:34-35

There is it. The world will know we are Jesus' followers by the love we have for one another, in spite of our differences. In the world, differences separate - segregate - isolate people and people groups. Our faith overcomes all of those obstacles or should. Very often Christians let their natural differences make being one with other Christians who are naturally different the reason they are not one. Sending a very different message to a lost and dying world.

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Color Me Purple

"For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:11-13

In the U.S. Military, each service has a distinctive uniform - down to the color and the buttons. There are certain assignments where all of the services are working in the same organization.  They call that a joint assignment. In fact there are now joint bases where more than one service is based. Another term that is used to describe the military members who work in those places is "purple suits" meaning that for the moment, the service they represent is subordinate to the assignment they share. They all look the same - they all wear purple suits, if you will. (Not really, their wear their service uniforms but work as one unit.)

Paul was saying that as Christians there is no distinction between Jewish and Gentile Christians.  They were different ethnically and culturally, even by language, but they were one. They shared the same faith, the same Spirit, the same hope in Jesus. 

"Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 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." - 2 Corinthians 5:16-19

" From Now On We Regard No One According To The Flesh" - wow! That is powerful.  I was just talking with a pastor friend about this very thing. There is a misconception that if you are an Evangelical Christian then you are of European decent. If you think that, you would be wrong. Evangelical Christians are much more diverse in ethnicity and culture than you might imagine. 

The beginning of Evangelical Christianity in the United States certainly finds it roots in the European immigration in the 1600 and 1700's. People naturally gravitate to those who look like them, talk like them, dress like them, live like them. There has always been a missionary sense among Christians in this country. A God-inspired desire to spread the Gospel. But what does that look like in a country once known as the "Melting Pot". To that point the focus of evangelism and missions has been tell everyone about Jesus but then encourage them to assemble on Sunday according to color, language and culture - even music genre.  Be One spiritually but be separate physically.  

But that is not the rest of the story. In 1992 Promise Keepers rose to prominence with the message of racial/ethnic reconciliation - One Body of Christ - and it was received as right and good by many churches.  The problem was what to do with that truth. The answer is always the same. It starts with this. Love God and Love Others

"Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." - Matthew 22:35-40

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Belief and Obedience - Proverbial Horse and Carriage

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." - Matthew 28:18-20

Based on what Jesus said, how much of the Bible should we be taught? everything that the Word (John 1:1) has said. So, how much of the Bible are we to obey? All of it. How much of the Bible do we obey? Only the part that we believe. Why would we not believe everything? Let's go back to the Garden.

"Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate." - Genesis 3:1-6

As Christians, our challenge is the temptation to believe the World or the god of this World over what God has made plain in His Word. The culture can present a "reasonable" argument as to why we should follow its definition of right and our own thinking and not God's commands. The temptation is attractive to our flesh - the human mind and its lusts and reject what the Spirit has made plain. 

"For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world." - 1 John 2:16

It is like Jesus temptation in the wilderness.  Satan spoke to the man Jesus - just like he spoke to the woman, Eve in the Garden. "the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise" and to Jesus - "Turn these stones into bread" (and satisfy yourself!) Jesus, the man, was hungry. But, Jesus' response was "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word the proceeds from the mouth of God (the Father)." - Matthew 4:4

How about you? Whose voice are you listening to? Who and what are you believing and obeying?

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Heart Trouble

"And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever." - 1 Chronicles 28:9

Personal Note: This devotion is #3000. I can hardly believe it - never imagined it. Trust that you find them a blessing and encouragement. 

I saw that headline on the news feed I follow this morning.  I personally know several people - Christians - who passed away or have been severely affected this year from some malady of their hearts. Whatever their age when they pass, it is always too soon. But King David was talking about a different heart - the heart and soul of man.

In the spiritual sense, having a heart for anything but God by faith in Jesus is the number one reason people go to hell when they die. In that sense it is the number one killer for those who forsake a relationship with the Creator God.

That same David cried out to God asking that God would create in him a clean heart and renew a right spirit in him. Psalm 51 - read it. David was confronted by the Prophet Nathan. Recall that David had sinned with Bathsheba and got her pregnant. She was married to a soldier who was away fighting for King David and Israel.  So to cover his sin, when all else failed, David had Uriah the Hittite killed on the battlefield. When Nathan told a story - parable actually, David became angry because of the injustice described in the Story. David demanded to know who the man was so he could be punished to which Nathan replied. "David, you are the man." And so the Psalm. 

We all struggle with sin. even those of us who have given our hearts to God. The question is are we remorseful - do we regret our actions, our choices, our failings when it happens? Or do we ignore them and move on with life as if no wrong had been done. We would do well to remember that  --

"The Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought."

Today there are no prophets to confront us - but there is the Spirit and the Word of God.  

The Spirit convicts us of sin.

The Word is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

It is critical for our heart health that we submit to both. 

Think about it – Pray about it – 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

Laying Your Life Down For Your High Calling

"But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection" - Philippians 3:7-10

Background. Each day I ask the Lord to show me what I should write in these devotions. I have not master plan for the year, month or even week. Typically, I will write a draft the night before, and then finish it in the morning before 6:00 am. Last night Martie asked me, as she often does, if I had written my BLOG which I had not. I said, "I don't know what I am supposed to write, I will wait until the morning." I don't write these with the notion that they are necessarily profound or even memorable. I write them because I believe I am supposed to. No expectation. I had no idea that I would be doing this in 2024. 

I find that is the way the Christian life is. Following the leading of the spirit and not our own designs on life. I recall meeting with my Army assignments officer many years ago. John Kennedy - no not that John Kennedy. I happened to be in Maryland and made an appointment to see Him.  When I did I showed him my plan for my career. Actually 3 possibilities. He smiled - normally it was him telling the officer what the options would be. He said, "All three of these are possible."  I had it all figured out. But then one day, some years later the Lord spoke - not audibly - "Leave the Army, you are sacrificing your family for the military." I knew it was the Lord - so I did. 

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

So fast forward to this past summer. We are in Florida responding to Hurricane Ian.  Martie and me in an RV in a field next to a pond with an alligator in it. We were building the same sheds we built in Mississippi during aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  I met a man, Bart, and we were having a conversation about how Pathfinder Mission became Pathfinder Mission.  I told him about God calling me out of my Army career at 17 1/2 years - just shy of retirement. Frankly some had question why I would do that - it made no sense, practically. I would add in the wisdom of man.

I told Bart that had I not left the military, I would not be speaking to him in a work trailer in a field next to a pond with an alligator in it in Fort Myers, Florida on a very hot day. God does not ask every Christian to do the same thing. There are many faithful Christians who have served many more years than I did.  But - the Lord has called us all to lay our devotion to the things of this world down, To treat them like Paul did - as being worthless compared to our high calling in Christ. 

Many people have been amazed at the life that Martie and I have lived since we left the military. My response is always this. "Everything we have done has been by the power of providence of God. The only credit we can take is that we said "Yes Lord". I will close this with a song reference.

"I'll say yes, Lord, yes. To your will and to your way 

I'll say yes, Lord, yes. I will trust you and obey

When your Spirit speaks to me. With my whole heart I'll agree

And my answer will be yes, Lord, yes." - Shirley Caesar, "Yes Lord Yes"

That all He wants from you as well.

Think about it – Pray about it – 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