Daily Devotions

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Current Study: Living Life to the Fullest         

Today’s Topic: The Test

Today’s Scripture:   Psalm 34:4  I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

                                Psalm 86:1-4   Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.  Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

The phone rang at 4:10 this morning. I thought I was dreaming. Wishful thinking, I guess. By the time I got to it I was worried that the answering machine would kick in, so I didn’t check the caller ID. I said hello and was met by the sound of my son’s voice. In addition to being the youth pastor at our church, he’s also a baker at Great Harvest Bread Store, so he was already at work. Pretty cool, huh? Baking bread and sharing the Bread of Life all at the same time. Anyway, I ramble. He asked me if I could go over to his house because there was a family emergency and I was needed to watch the kids. Brittany’s sister was in the beginning stages of labor and needed to be transported to Minneapolis for the delivery of her baby that is going to adoptive parents. So I threw on some clothes and arrived at his house before 4:30. What a joy it is to be able to serve others, especially when there are benefits. I got to see both my grandsons when the woke up. Their smiles and hugs are more precious than any amount of sleep, although I have more patience for when they’re not smiling when I have slept well.

It may seem like a simple thing I did this morning, until you understand the day I have scheduled. I will not be home tonight until after 8:00 PM. Only once did that thought enter my mind as I was driving to Josh’s house. It only lasted for a split second, as the Holy Spirit ministered to my heart. I didn’t even consciously think about it – He just did His work. I actually found myself with an abundance of joy that I was able to serve my kids. It was not a burden, but a blessing. That’s the way it is when we have made our commitment to doing all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ – the Holy Spirit will make us thankful. He is at work even when we don’t recognize it. I found that I was doing all things in the name of the Lord, with thanksgiving in my heart.

I found it interesting that my New Year’s resolution would be tested so quickly after concluding my writing about it. But that’s how our God works – He wants us to make personal and long-lasting applications of His truth to our lives. So in case you don’t take the time to read the comments on my blog where these devotionals are posted, let me share a story that comes from one of our readers that illustrates this point. Marian Green writes –

Pastor John
When you started this short series on the Name of Jesus, I just had to praise Him. You see, I just learned that I had to have another MRI, this time on my neck. As you may remember, I am exxxtremely!!!!! claustrophobic. I had 4 days to get really worked up about it. Except, this time after reading about the Name of Jesus and what it stood for I decided that it was time “to put up or shut up”. Did I Really believe that Jesus was with me all the time? Would He really stand by me? Would He really help me get through this? Did I really trust His word and His Name and all it stood for? So I put myself to the test! I got my Bible out and reminded myself in Psalm 34 and Psalm 86 that He was with me in all kinds of things. I read that He really did care about such things as MRIs. Then I got my journal out and wrote down my prayer. I remembered that He does not give the spirit of fear but the Spirit of Peace, Comfort and Security. I renounced the fear and confessed it as sin. I told the Father that I was counting on Him to once and for all win this battle and all the little squirmishes of claustrophobia and claimed it in the Power and all Truth that is Jesus and His Name. I tell you PJ, I’ve never in my life had such 4 days of peace, calm and contentment as I did from last Thursday through Sunday morning when I walked in for the MRI. I sat down on the table and closed my eyes like I was going to take a nap! 20 minutes later I came out feeling refreshed and relaxed. You know the best thing? Two days later I’m still enjoying the same peace and quiet joy of answered prayer. My faith has grown by leaps and bounds, because finally after 45+ years, my head knowledge has finally gotten into my heart. Praise God and the NAME of Jesus!

WOW! So many times we hear the truth, but it never penetrates the heart. So much of what we know never makes a difference. I challenge you today to look for the ways God is providing you opportunities to personally apply the truths you have learned so that they become alive in you and change you. Every situation of your life today is an opportunity to do something in the name of Jesus.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Current Study: Living Life to the Fullest         

Today’s Topic: The Glory of Jesus

Today’s Scripture:   Luke 4:18-21  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Today we come to the final letter in our acrostic of the word NAME. The E stands for exaltation, and is a reminder to us that every thought we think, every word we speak, and every action we choose is to bring glory to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

My desire today is to let the Word of God speak directly to you about this subject. My comments will be few, because they cannot compare to the wonder of the Word. Look into these things with longing eyes and a receptive heart so that your life may be lived to the honor and glory of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul begins in Romans 15: 17-18 by sharing his personal testimony of commitment to exalting Christ.  

Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me.

Paul again speaks to the church at Corinth about how each one of us is in process of being transformed into the glory of the Lord.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18

The author of Hebrews encourages us with the truth that God has equipped us to live lives totally pleasing and honoring to Him according to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead.

May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

Once again Paul writes to us through the church at Philippi that as we grow in love and knowledge the end result is to be the glory and praise of God.

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

The Apostle Peter confirms Paul’s teaching that everything we need for life and godliness comes from the power of God, and that we need not seek anything from the world to make our lives more valuable or prove our worth. In fact, when we live our lives for the glory of God, we escape the corruption of the world and all of its evil desires.

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4

Peter again shows us that everything we do is to be an expression of the work of God in our lives and is to be done for the glory of Jesus.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11

And finally, the words of Jesus Himself tell us the one specific thing that brings the Father the most glory –

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:8

Therefore, I resolve that whatever I do in word or deed will be done in the NAME of Jesus, according to His nature, His attributes, His mission, and His exaltation, so that my life is lived as a thanksgiving offering to God the Father, who in His great and gracious love for me saved me from my sin by the blood of His precious Son Jesus, who is my Lord. May my life bring glory to the Father by bearing much fruit for Him.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Monday, January 12, 2009

Current Study: Living Life to the Fullest         

Today’s Topic: The Mission of Jesus

Today’s Scripture:   Luke 4:18-21  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him, and he began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

If you remember from last week, I started a short study of Colossians 3:17 as the foundation for my New Year’s resolution. That verse says, “Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” I am specifically focusing on what it means to do everything “in the name of the Lord Jesus.” God gave me a great acrostic of the word name, and it has proven valuable in our study. That acrostic is:

Nature

            Attributes

            Mission

            Exaltation

Whatever I do, whatever I say, and whatever I pray, is to be according to the nature of Jesus, the attributes of Jesus, the mission of Jesus, and the exaltation of Jesus.

Today we come to the  letter “M”, which represents the mission of Jesus. I wonder how our lives would change if took some quality time to reflect on our lives and evaluate how much of them are spent on the mission of Jesus compared to being spent on our own pursuits? I suspect they might change drastically.

First, a couple of ground rules for such evaluation. One, no guilt and shame allowed. You may not have thought about these things before, and Satan would love to wrap you up in a blanket of regret. But New Year’s resolutions are about forgetting the past and pressing on towards the future.  Two, it is granted that we all need relaxation and recreation. Even Jesus got away from everyone and relaxed. However, when He relaxed, He did so with the sole purpose of being physically refreshed for the accomplishment of His Father’s mission. Even while He was relaxing, He prayed, prioritized, planned, and prepared for God’s purpose in His life.

For example, and I expect honesty, how many of you sat and watched both football games yesterday as I did, and while doing so spent any time thinking about how this was going to refresh you and provide you with increased opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with someone at work today? In case you’re wondering, I did. It was a lot easier to do yesterday than last Sunday because of the teams that were playing. I woke up early this morning with all three engines running at peak performance. My physical engine is strong. My emotional engine is secure. My spiritual engine is running at top speed in anticipation of being used by God today to touch someone’s life with His love. All because while I relaxed, I thought about what God wanted to do with my life after I was refreshed. The mistake many of us make is to use relaxation and recreation as an escape from the past, rather than a preparation for the future.

Now that we have those basics in place, we are ready to start the evaluation process. The first half of the process involves answering this question – do you understand what the mission of Jesus is for your life? While each of us is unique, and uniquely equipped for various roles and responsibilities within the body of Christ, each one us starts with the same marching orders. Our identical mission is this – Go into all the world and make disciples. We could spend weeks upon weeks studying all of the individual ways we are prepared, equipped, and gifted to do that, but unless we truly accept the primary mission itself then all of the methods will be meaningless. There is to be nothing in our lives more significant than the salvation of souls. There is to be no higher priority than people. There is to be no search for meaning apart from our mission. We will find no true fulfillment in life apart from following Jesus Christ.

The second half of the evaluation involves carefully prioritizing all of the other areas of your life under Christ’s mission. Some of those activities can remain. Some might have to go. Let me remind you of the questions we asked last Tuesday, and you can use them today to examine your priorities in light of God’s mission for your life. Ask these questions about every area and activity of your life.

• Does this word or activity support my understanding of the mission to which I have been called in Christ Jesus?
• Does this word or activity represent the Gospel message of the transforming power of Jesus Christ to change my life?
• Does this word or activity present an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with another person?
• Does this word or activity present an opportunity to make a disciple?
• Does this word or activity present an opportunity to teach others to obey Jesus?
• Does this word or activity present an opportunity to encourage and build up a brother or sister in Christ?

If the answer to any of the questions above is “no”, then ask yourself, while remembering ground rule #2 above, why that activity is permitted to remain in your life. Of what value is it in accomplishing the mission of God?

My friends, we are people of mission. Everyone wants to be. We are blessed to not only be people of mission but people who get to experience the one true and fulfilling mission of all life – serving the Savior. This year, let’s serve Him according to His mission, not ours. Today, let the mission of Jesus be fulfilled in you.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Current Study: Living Life to the Fullest         

Today’s Topic: The Attributes of Jesus

Today’s Scripture:   Psalm 139:1-3  O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

When I was a young boy, my father was the pastor of a church in Michigan. It was customary in this particular church for the pastor and his family to be invited out to dinner at someone’s house on a regular basis. On those nights that we were headed to our host’s home, I remember clearly something my dad always did. As I and my two brothers would pile into the back seat of the car in our usual rowdy way, fighting over who had to sit in the middle, dad would already be in place in the driver’s seat. He would reach up and tilt the rearview mirror down so he could see us and he would say, “Now boys, don’t embarrass me when we get there.”

I’ve thought about that statement a lot. It had its positive and its negative sides. From the negative perspective, it assumed that we were capable of embarrassing him. Not only capable, but probably apt to. Be realistic. Imagine three boys ages 5, 6, and 7 together in a home of adults with nothing to do but sit still and behave. Yeah – that’s possible. We were by nature rowdy little boys, with expectations of adult attributes thrust upon us. Dad knew it, or he wouldn’t have told us his expectations before we even left the driveway.

On the positive side, dad was trying to help us grow up, and he was using his life as the model. Sure, as all of us must admit, our lives aren’t very good models all the time. But we all want our children to emulate the attributes that we believe are important for maturity. Any word or action that doesn’t reflect those attributes is an embarrassment, both to the parent, and hopefully to the child who really wants to be the best they can be. Every kid wants to measure up. If motivated by love, that’s a good thing. If motivated by a lack of love so that it becomes a performance to earn value, then that’s dysfunctional.

Measuring up is a biblical concept. The Apostle Paul says in Ephesians 3:17-19 that “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” Then in the next chapter he says “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” Christ is the perfect model of maturity for our lives. When we are motivated by love for Him, we will strive to emulate His attributes. When we don’t, it will be an embarrassment to us.

It is not practical to attempt to consider all the attributes of our wonderful Lord and Savior in one short devotional today. But on Tuesday we gave you a list of questions from a short list of those attributes. Here they are again, with a little twist in them from the perspective of embarrassment.

• Does this word or activity support my belief in the attributes of Jesus?
• Does this word or activity embarrass me because it doesn’t measure up to the fullness of God’s love in me?
• Does this word or activity embarrass me because it doesn’t reflect the maturity of the life of Jesus in me?
• Does this word or activity embarrass me because it doesn’t reflect His holiness?
• Does this word or activity embarrass me because it doesn’t reflect His righteousness?
• Does this word or activity embarrass me because it doesn’t reflect His love and compassion?
• Does this word or activity embarrass me because it doesn’t reflect His truth?
• Does this word or activity embarrass me because it doesn’t reflect His grace?
• Does this word or activity embarrass me because it doesn’t reflect His mercy?

The Apostle John, the one whom our Lord Jesus loved, wrote about this embarrassment in his first letter to Christians around the world. He said, See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. If you know that he is righteous, you know that everyone who does what is right has been born of him.

 Wow! According to these verses, it is possible for us to be ashamed and embarrassed before our Lord because of the way we have lived our lives. So what’s the key to not being embarrassed? Remain in Him and continue in Him. What does that mean? Very simply and succinctly, it means to live according to His attributes. Our lives are to be the constant reflection of the characteristics of Christ. He is our model. He has sent His Holy Spirit to bring the fullness of His life into ours. We do not live in obedience to a set of laws and standards. We live as an expression of the life of Christ in us. Anything less than that is an embarrassment.

Let the application of this truth and this New Year’s resolution begin in us today, O Lord. Motivated by our love for you, may our lives reflect your life in us, and not be an embarrassment.

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

Current Study: Living Life to the Fullest         

Today’s Topic: The Nature of Jesus

Today’s Scripture:   Psalm 139:1-3  O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

OK, let’s break down our New Year’s resolution from yesterday into some specifics. As you recall, we resolved to live out the command of Colossians 3:17, which says, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”  Living life in the name of the Lord Jesus begins with an understanding of the nature of Jesus. Who is He, and how does the knowledge of Him change me? What are the practical implications of living with the knowledge of the nature of Jesus?

First, He is God. He is not a god. He is THE GOD. What a marvelous pronouncement of this truth we find in Hebrews 1:3 – The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. Why does this matter? Because if Jesus were simply a god, then we would have the right to abandon Him for any other god of our choosing. We would even go so far as to declare ourselves a god. Unless we accept and act upon the truth that Jesus is God we will live our lives according to our own desires. We will be completely self-centered and seek self-fulfillment. Our decisions will be based on obedience to the flesh. Our actions will be the result of seeking immediate gratification. We will be people of pride. We will find our security in the strength of self. We will become our own god. It is significant that the first commandment of God to the human race states, “You shall have no other gods before me.”

This directly leads to the second aspect of the nature of Jesus – His sovereignty. If we do not accept that Jesus is God, then we will not accept that He is Lord. We will strive for control of our lives and the lives of others, rather than surrender all control to Him. We will cease to be people of faith and become people of fear. Fear develops when we believe we are in control of outcomes. Faith is victorious over fear because it trusts the outcome to the One who is ultimately in control. Faith is patient and waits for God’s outcomes, while fear attempts to manipulate results. Peace is unknown in fear. Faith brings a peace that surpasses all human reason. The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. This peace is only possible if we truly believe that Jesus is in control, and surrender to His control in all areas of our lives.

The next aspects of the nature of Jesus all deal with His eternal existence. He is omnipresent (He is everywhere always), omniscient (He is all-knowing), and omnipotent (He is all-powerful). Look how Psalm 139 declares them all to us –

• He is omniscient – verses 1-4  O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.
• He is omnipresent – verses 7-10  Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
• He is omnipotent – verses 13-14  For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

We cannot fool Him, for He knows us. We cannot hide from Him, for He is everywhere always. We cannot overcome Him, for He is the creator and sustainer of all things. There are two implications from these truths. First, there is motivation to humility, which will result in rejection of sin. Once we know He is God, and that He is in control, and that we cannot hide from Him or overpower Him, we will surrender everything to Him. No longer will we live in hypocrisy, but will become people of integrity. Second, there is motivation to thanksgiving. In knowing us He loves us. In loving us He never leaves us or forsakes us. In His abiding presence with us He provides power for living fully. Hallelujah! Let’s praise Him!

The final aspect of His nature is His immutability – He never changes. His nature is always the same. His word stands forever. His promises are secure. There is no compromise of His truth. What was true then is true now. What freedom there is in this. No longer do we need to look for new revelations of God, for in Jesus we have the complete revelation of God to man. No longer do we need to be concerned with adapting the Word of God to a more modern interpretation or application. No longer do we need to be the agents of change. No longer do we need to spend hours of time in prayer seeking a special dispensation of God’s grace for a particular problem in our lives. No longer do we need to waste our lives away in the pursuit of permission. Jesus doe not change. His Word does not change. His commands do not change. In obedience is true liberty. In obedience is the fullness of life.

So, for today, let’s evaluate our thoughts, our words, our choices, and our actions, in the light of the nature of Jesus. Then ask this question – Does this thought, word, choice or activity support my belief that Jesus, in His very nature, is God?

Pastor John

Daily Devotions

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Current Study: Living Life to the Fullest         

Today’s Topic: New Year’s Resolution

Today’s Scripture:   Colossians 3:17  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Well, I haven’t had a chance to say this to you yet, so here goes – HAPPY NEW YEAR! We had a great trip to see our parents out in the Dakotas, and ended it with a trip to the Metrodome to watch the NFC North Divisional Champion Minnesota Vikings play their first playoff game. What an electrifying atmosphere. Yeah, we lost, but at least we were there.

As we begin this new year, I want to share with you my New Year’s resolution. I do this because I want you to hold me accountable to it. This year I resolve to live out the command of Colossians 3:17. I challenge you to do the same.

Last night, prior to our  Elder meeting at church, I ordered some take-out Chinese food. I asked for extra mushrooms in my chicken and snow pea order. When I dumped the pint container of sauce onto the rice, I counted three mushrooms. My first response was a disgusted “Oh man!” I immediately caught myself and confessed that sin to the Lord. I then began thanking Him for the meal I was about to eat. I had already failed at fulfilling my resolution. But growth is a process. One step at a time I will become more thankful, and my life will become more honoring to the Lord Jesus Christ in all areas.

As I asked the Lord to change me according to Colossians 3:17, He drew my attention to three words in the exact middle of the verse. Those words are in the name. What does that mean? When we pray in the name of Jesus, what does that really mean? When we are commanded to do and speak all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, what does that mean? It means far more than just stating the name of Jesus at the end of a prayer. Understanding it begins with knowing that a name is a representation of someone. The name itself is just a word, but what that name represents gives it meaning. So when we say or do anything in the name of someone, those words or actions become of a reflection of what we believe to be true about that person. Make sure you fully understand the significance of that last statement.  Here’s what God taught me as I sought to understand it. It was so significant that I wrote it in the margin of my Bible. It’s an acrostic of the word NAME.

                        Nature

                        Attributes

                        Mission

                        Exaltation

Whatever I do, whatever I say, and whatever I pray, is to be according to the nature of Jesus, the attributes of Jesus, the mission of Jesus, and the exaltation of Jesus. Every activity of my life, every word I speak to others, and every prayer I pray to God is to be a reflection of what I believe to be true about Jesus Christ. For this to be true about me, I must be willing to continually ask myself some penetrating questions.

• Does this word or activity support my belief that Jesus, in His very nature, is God? Does this word or activity reflect my belief in His sovereignty (He is in control)? His omnipresence (He is everywhere always)? His omniscience (He is all-knowing)? His omnipotence (He is all-powerful)? His immutability (He is unchanging)?
• Does this word or activity support my belief in the attributes of Jesus? Does this word or activity comply with His holiness? His righteousness? His love and compassion? His truth? His grace? His mercy?
• Does this word or activity support my understanding of the mission to which I have been called in Christ Jesus? Does this word or activity represent the Gospel message of the transforming power of Jesus Christ to change my life? Does this word or activity present an opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus with another person? To make a disciple? To teach others to obey Jesus? To encourage and build up a brother or sister in Christ?
• Does this word or activity exalt the name of Jesus? Does this word or activity reflect a surrendered heart to the will of God for my life? Does this word or activity draw attention to me or to Jesus? Does this word or activity glorify God?

Over the next few days we will spend some time on each of those four areas and discover some practical applications of these truths to our everyday lives. But before we do that, each one of us must decide if we are going to take this command seriously. Are we prepared, in the critical year of 2009, to live our lives as representations of the Name of Jesus Christ? Are we ready, at any and all cost, to say and do everything in our lives according to what we know to be true about Jesus? And will we do it with thanks to God for the privilege of knowing and serving Him? My prayer is that you will join me in resolving to live this way. If so, let me know, so I can hold you accountable too.

Pastor John