Monthly Archives: August 2022

Jesus IS Enough–He’s ALL??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #33

31 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, HE who began it will complete it!, I Know Whom I Have Beleived, I Will Never Leave You, JESUS, Jesus IN You!, Jesus Is The Only Way!, Jesus Is Truth, Jesus Knows, Jesus Knows YOUR Storm, Jesus Saves!, Jesus--our all in all

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Jesus IS Enough—He’s All???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #33

 

Each day is a call to walk in union with my LORD Jesus Christ!  Some days it’s simple to just get up and go and do what HE has asked me, called me, or appointed me to do.  But then there are days when it’s not the doing that is the challenge, but rather it’s the “being” who and what Jesus wants me to BE!  For we can all put on the “doing” suit and go out to impress the world, but some days it takes all that my soul, mind and body can muster to “stand fast in the evil day” to “BE” filled, led, and yielded to HIS precious Holy Spirit!  How about you?  Ever struggle to just take one more step?  I have!  But I have a Savior, Lord and Redeemer who has promised to supply my every need—not just in material ways, but in every single thing I need to press on to bring glory to Jesus.

“Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun

a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

And more of Paul’s instruction to the believers at Philippi, those to whom he offered no rebuke, but encouraged them to press on as they were doing.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.

14 Do all things

without murmurings

and disputings:

15 That ye may be

blameless

and harmless,

the sons of God,

without rebuke,

in the midst

of a crooked and perverse nation,

among whom ye shine

as lights in the world;

16 Holding forth

the word of life;

that I may rejoice

in the day of Christ,

that I have not run in vain,

neither laboured in vain.”  Philippians 2:12-16

Not to be redundant, but Paul just has so much ‘good stuff’ in this letter to the Philippians, I just couldn’t leave off this word from chapter 4!  I repeat this wonderful instruction, and help for every issue of life or temptation of the enemy, more often than I can count—it’s like a “password” to victory to me, and I encourage you to memorize it to have it on “hand” to defeat the enemy at every turn (for he is there knocking on that door of your heart and mind, but just rehearse those 8 things in verse 8 and he can’t get in the door!!!)

“Be careful for nothing;

but in every thing

by prayer

and supplication with thanksgiving

let your requests be made known

unto God.

7 And the peace of God,

which passeth all understanding,

shall keep your hearts and minds

through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren,

whatsoever things are true,

whatsoever things are honest,

whatsoever things are just,

whatsoever things are pure,

whatsoever things are lovely,

whatsoever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

9 Those things,

which ye have both learned,

and received,

and heard,

and seen in me,

do:

and the God of peace

shall be with you.”  Philippians 4:6-8

Did you get it—Paul assured us that not only do we have the “peace of God”, but we can also stand confidently knowing that “the God of peace shall be with you”!!!   And continuing, let’s dive into the letter to the Colossian believers; where we’ll find even more help to draw us nearer to our Redeemer and Deliverer, Jesus—for HE is truly all you and I need to “press on”. I encourage you to take these passages and print them off then go over them and note each specific thing that Paul encourages us to be—do—and practice each day as we walk with our KING JESUS!!!

“Where there is neither

Greek nor Jew,

circumcision nor uncircumcision,

Barbarian, Scythian,

bond nor free:

but Christ is all,

and in all.

12 Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ

dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonishing one another

in psalms

and hymns

and spiritual songs,

singing with grace in your hearts

to the Lord.

17 And whatsoever ye do

in word or deed,

do all

in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God and the Father

by him.”  Colossians 3:11-17

And in closing, a great challenge to walk right before our God, and when we will walk right “before our God”, then we will be right before the world—not always popular or well received, but “right”!!  Then, may we join Paul and “press toward the mark” in all our ways!  Every day—all the way!!!

“Brethren, I count not myself

to have apprehended:

but this one thing I do,

forgetting those things

which are behind,

and reaching forth

unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark

for the prize

of the high calling of God

in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:13-14

Press on dear ones—press on!!!  Jesus IS enough!!!

Amen and Amen!!!

How About MY Heart??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 NO. 13

28 Sunday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Be ye doers of the Word, Clothed In His Righteousness, Sayers or Doers

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 13   How About MY Heart???

It seems that we are living in a world gone amuck with power, money, and disregard of The Lord God Almighty, HIS Word, and HIS SON!  But the real question is, “What about “MY” heart?”  I think Jesus’ words make it clear what we need to consider—and notice that Jesus was speaking to the religious leaders in this first passage.

“O generation of vipers,

how can ye, being evil,

speak good things?

for out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart

bringeth forth good things:

and an evil man out of the evil treasure

bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you,

That every idle word that men shall speak,

they shall give account thereof

in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words

thou shalt be justified,

and by thy words

thou shalt be condemned.”   Matthew 12:34-37

And as Jesus said in another place:

“And Jesus said,

Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand,

that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth

goeth into the belly,

and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those things which proceed

out of the mouth

come forth from the heart;

 and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart proceed

evil thoughts,

murders,

adulteries,

fornications,

thefts,

false witness,

blasphemies:

20 These are the things

which defile a man:

but to eat with unwashen hands

defileth not a man.”  Matthew 15:16-20

The Psalmist reminds us that what comes out of our mouth is under our control, and as we avoid the evil, we are to appreciate and desire the correction of the righteous—to both receive it, and to be that “iron sharpening iron” to others!

“Set a watch, O LORD,

before my mouth;

keep the door

of my lips.

4 Incline not my heart

to any evil thing,

to practise wicked works

with men that work iniquity:

and let me not

eat of their dainties.

5 Let the righteous smite me;

it shall be a kindness:

and let him reprove me;

it shall be an excellent oil,

which shall not break my head…”   Psalm 141:3-5a

So, what is in my heart?  In yours?  Only God knows all about me, but what comes out of my mouth, according to Jesus’ words, will reveal what is truly in my heart.  I’m not talking about a stray word when someone bangs his thumb, but I am talking about the evil, vile words of hatred, spite, and cruelty that spew from many who claim the name of Jesus.  And there is a difference between what the Psalmist is describing as the reproof and accountability of the righteous toward one another.  James contrasts it as real faith and vain faith—that which is confirmed by a righteous, holy lifestyle, in contrast to a lifestyle of nothing but words!  Jesus talked about this in Matthew 7, (And just let me clarify, I don’t think Paul and James disagreed on faith and grace—James isn’t denying faith, but simply distinguishing the difference between “just saying so”, and “being so”!)

“What doth it profit, my brethren,

though a man say he hath faith,

and have not works?

can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister

be naked,

and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them,

Depart in peace,

be ye warmed and filled;

notwithstanding

ye give them not those things

which are needful to the body;

what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith,

if it hath not works,

is dead,

being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say,

Thou hast faith,

and I have works:

shew me thy faith

without thy works,

and I will shew thee my faith

by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God;

thou doest well:

the devils also believe,

and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know,

O vain man,

that faith without works

 is dead?”  James 2:14-20

And as James also said (in the same vein):

“But be ye doers of the word,

and not hearers only,

deceiving your own selves.”  James 1:22

Jesus makes the delineation clear:

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be

which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be

that find it…

…. 20 Wherefore by their fruits

ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me,

Lord, Lord,

shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;

but he that doeth the will of my Father

which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day,

Lord, Lord,

have we not prophesied in thy name?

and in thy name have cast out devils?

and in thy name done many

wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them,

I never knew you:

depart from me,

ye that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:13-14, 20-23

We are impowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit to live in The Spirit and not the flesh if we will but yield to HIS work and obey!

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered

for us

in the flesh,

arm yourselves likewise

with the same mind:

for he that hath suffered

in the flesh

hath ceased from sin;

2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time

in the flesh

to the lusts of men,

but to the will of God.”  1 Peter 4:1-2

Paul gives us a key to walking in victory over our heart and mind, which leads us to victory over our tongue.  Are you and I heeding The Holy Spirit as we should?  Or going our own way?  As I’ve said before, it’s your choice (and mine), but remember there is a test!

“This I say then,

Walk in the Spirit,

and ye shall not fulfil

the lust of the flesh…

…25 If we live in the Spirit,

let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous

of vain glory,

provoking one another,

envying one another.” Galatians 5:16 & 25

And in closing, Paul’s amazing reminder of what The Spirit’s work looks like in us!  I encourage you to spend some time and memorize these verses (at least 22-23) for your good and God’s glory!

“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love,

joy,

peace,

longsuffering,

gentleness,

goodness,

faith,

23 Meekness,

temperance:

against such

there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ’s

have crucified the flesh

with the affections

and lusts.”  Galatians 5:22-24

So, the question we all must answer is, “How about my heart?”!  It’s what Jesus calls us to, and scripture is replete with the call to us is to be “salt…and light…” to a world lost in sin and darkness!  What will you do with your “light”?

“Let your light so shine before men,

that they may see your good works,

and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 6:16

Amen and Amen!!!

It’s All About God’s Work??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #32

26 Friday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Brighten Your Corner!, Broken Hearts, Encouragement

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It’s All About God’s Work???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #32

I simply have a few words of hope this morning—words that remind us that it is all about the work that God is doing in us!

It’s not by our own hand—our own effort—our own wisdom—our own ingenuity—our own way—it is God who is at work in us! We can choose to obey and follow HIS way or go our own way and reap the consequences of our choices.  YOU decide—you choose but remember there is a test.

“Not by works of righteousness

which we have done,

but according to his mercy

he saved us,

by the washing of regeneration,

and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

6 Which he shed on us abundantly

through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

7 That being justified by his grace,

we should be made heirs

according to the hope

of eternal life.”  Titus 3:5-7

And one of my favorite passages from the letter to the Philippian believers.  Take heart my friends—God is at work, and HE wants us to succeed!

“I thank my God

upon every remembrance of you,

4 Always in every prayer of mine

for you all

making request with joy,

5 For your fellowship in the gospel

from the first day

until now;

6 Being confident of this very thing,

that he which hath begun a good work in you

will perform it

until the day of Jesus Christ:

7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all,

because I have you in my heart;

inasmuch as both in my bonds,

and in the defence

and confirmation of the gospel,

ye all are partakers of my grace.

8 For God is my record,

how greatly I long after you all

in the bowels of Jesus Christ.

9 And this I pray,

that your love may abound

yet more and more

in knowledge

and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent;

that ye may be sincere

and without offence

till the day of Christ;

11 Being filled

with the fruits of righteousness,

which are by Jesus Christ,

unto the glory

and praise of God.”  Philippians 1:3-11

Amen and Amen!!!

A Comfort In The Storm??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #31

24 Wednesday Aug 2022

Posted by in Abiding In Jesus, Abiding IN Jesus or the World?, Comfort, Confidence, Contentedness, Contentment, Courage, Encouragement, HOPE

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A Comfort In The Storm???  A Word from THE WORD!!!  #31

If you read Monday’s post, I mentioned my friend who was nigh unto death; well, she has gone into the presence of our precious Lord Jesus, and while my tears are still flowing for my loss, my heart rejoices, and the peace of Jesus overwhelms my soul to know that my dear, dear friend is now whole and free from pain and struggles.  So, I’d like to share a bit of scripture to help those of you out there with struggles and sorrow this morning, for it is God’s Word and the truth of it that pervades my life and brings the comfort in sorrow that only God can give.

“Blessed be God,

even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Father of mercies,

and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation,

that we may be able to comfort them

which are in any trouble,

by the comfort wherewith

we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us,

so our consolation

also aboundeth by Christ.”  2 Corinthians 1:3-5

The Psalms are replete with comforting words that sooth the weary, troubled soul; and I am so grateful that tears aren’t wasted energy, but a language that God understands completely!

“The LORD hath done great things for us;

whereof we are glad.

4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD,

as the streams in the south.

5 They that sow in tears

shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth,

bearing precious seed,

shall doubtless come again

with rejoicing,

bringing his sheaves with him.”  Psalm 126:3-6

“Sing unto the LORD,

O ye saints of his,

and give thanks

at the remembrance of his holiness.

5 For his anger endureth but a moment;

in his favour is life:

weeping may endure for a night,

but joy cometh in the morning.”  Psalm 30:4-5

Tears are their own language—there are tears of personal sorrow over a loss to death—tears of regret over sin and failure in our life—tears of loss over the absence of people, places or even things—there are tears of exhaustion, frustration or even fear from the puzzlements of life—yet God sees, hears and knows our heartache and sends HIS comfort if we will but receive it, in Jesus!  Praise His dear name for the comfort and joy that HE brings to our hearts in the midst of our greatest trials, tests, and encounters of life!  How? Because of the gift of salvation that Jesus purchased at Calvary!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access

by faith

into this grace

wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope

of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope

maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time Christ died

for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man

will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us,

in that, while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath

through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled to God

by the death of his Son,

much more,

being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom we have now received

the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

And while this is a lengthy passage, I felt that we needed to see it in its larger context than just the first five verses; for you see it’s all about Jesus and the peace that HE bought and paid for with His own blood—for you and me—for all who will come to HIM in repentance and faith in His substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for sin.  Please spend some time reading and pondering this passage phrase by phrase—it’s so amazing, and eye-opening, and brings me great comfort and I think it will you, if you will but take time to let it sink into your heart!  All because of that love of God and the payment for sin that Jesus made, we can come to The Father for salvation, peace, joy and hope for a future with HIM in eternity.  Are you ready?  Do you know HIM?  My friend did, and because of that I know I will be reunited with her (and so many more who have gone on before me) for all of eternity.  How about YOU?

In closing, a reminder that when we hurt too bad to know know to pray, God has that covered with His precious Holy Spirit who intercedes for us in those times (and times we aren’t even aware of!)!

“For we are saved by hope:

but hope that is seen is not hope:

for what a man seeth,

why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not,

then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for

as we ought:

but the Spirit itself

maketh intercession for us

with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts

knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,

because he maketh intercession

for the saints

according to the will of God.”  Romans 8:24-27

God’s got it!  Just let go of whatever you’re afraid of and rest in the arms of The Redeemer King and Savior, Jesus!

“All things are delivered unto me of my Father:

and no man knoweth the Son,

but the Father;

neither knoweth any man the Father,

save the Son,

and he to whomsoever the Son

will reveal him.

28 Come unto me,

all ye that labour

and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you,

and learn of me;

for I am meek and lowly in heart:

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy,

and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:27-30

I pray that you will let Jesus turn those tears into a peace and joy that the world will never understand—but it will sure get their attention, and then we may opportunity to share Jesus with them!

Amen and Amen!!!

Thankful For Friendship??? Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 12

22 Monday Aug 2022

Posted by in A Father's Love, Abiding In Jesus, Friends, Friendship, Jonathan and David, True Friendship

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Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 12   Thankful For Friendship???

I sit here this morning praying for a dear friend who may be near her time to leave this world, and as I think of the years that we have shared, I sit here with tears in my eyes, as I rehearse the precious value of a real, true, and loyal friend.  Do you have one?  If you have one, you are blessed greatly; if you have more than one you are abundantly blessed, for they are a treasure rare.

With that in mind, I’d like to spend our time today seeing what God has to say about friendship/friends and perhaps calling you and me to reach out to those we love while they are with us.  I certainly know the import of valuing each day with those we love, and I hope God can speak to each of us today to be more aware of our choices in how we spend our time, especially when we value things more than people, or even God Himself and our Lord Jesus Christ.

“This is my commandment,

That ye love one another,

as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this,

that a man lay down his life

for his friends.

14 Ye are my friends,

if ye do whatsoever I command you.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants;

for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:

but I have called you friends;

for all things that I have heard of my Father

I have made known unto you.”  John 15:12-15

Jesus is the greatest friend that we will ever have, and if you don’t know HIM, I invite you to call upon HIM today, for HE is ever waiting for you to open your heart and life to HIM in repentance and faith in Jesus’ substitutionary (in our place), atoning (making my amends), sacrifice (paying our sin debt on Calvary).

“Behold,

I stand at the door,

and knock:

if any man hear my voice,

and open the door,

I will come in to him,

and will sup with him,

and he with me.”  Revelation 3:20

Oh, dear friend, it is a decision that you will never regret, for I have walked with Jesus for over forty-five years—through thick and thin—through laughter and tears—through failure and success—through every trial that you can think of, and HE has never left my side.  And besides all that, HE has sent me friends to share my walk, help me along my way, encourage me in the hard times, rejoice with me in the better times, and bless my soul beyond measure, and allowed me to share the same with them!!!  The scriptures are replete with examples and words of wisdom in regard to friendship; and I’m so glad that God never called us to walk alone—but with Him, and praise God, more often than not, to have a friend or two along the way!

“Two are better than one;

because they have a good reward for their labour.

10 For if they fall,

the one will lift up his fellow:

but woe to him that is alone when he falleth;

for he hath not another to help him up.

11 Again, if two lie together,

then they have heat:

but how can one

be warm alone?

12 And if one prevail against him,

two shall withstand him;

and a threefold cord

is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

 As the old adage says, “Many hands make light work.”  May we appreciate the blessing of friends, and remember it takes “being” a friend, to “have” a friend to make things lighter—easier to bear!

“A man that hath friends

must shew himself friendly:

and there is a friend

that sticketh closer

than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24

Oh, how I praise God for those friends; the ones you can call at midnight, and they are there for you.  May we ever be that friend who is there/here for our friends who have a need—whatever that need may be.  But we must also ask God for discernment to know when we need to refer our friend/loved one to other sources of help.  Oh, how I regret not recognizing the need of one that I love who needed counselling that I wasn’t able to provide and I purely ‘missed the call’, so to speak…. We must always pray, and ask for God’s wisdom, direction, and insight to see beyond the exterior, and be ever remembering and relying on “Thy Kingdom come…Thy will be done…”!

“If any of you lack wisdom,

let him ask of God,

that giveth to all men liberally,

and upbraideth not;

and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith,

nothing wavering.

For he that wavereth

 is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind

and tossed.”  James 1:5-6

May we be faithful and stand fast in Jesus, for our own sake as well as to “BE” a good and wise friend!  One of my favorite examples of a true friend is the story of Jonathan and David, and while we won’t take time or space for the whole account, we’ll simply look at what scripture records of true love among friends.

“And it came to pass,

when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul,

that the soul of Jonathan

was knit with the soul of David,

and Jonathan loved him

as his own soul.

2 And Saul took him that day,

and would let him go no more home

to his father’s house.

3 Then Jonathan and David

made a covenant,

because he loved him

as his own soul.”  1 Samuel 18:1-3

And as the Proverbs say:

“A friend loveth at all times,

and a brother is born for adversity.”   Proverbs 17:17

I thank God for the dear ones HE has given me to love and to be loved by and have them to stand with me through the good and the bad—to love me “at all times”!  Treasure the gifts that God has given you in friends!  They are a priceless treasure, and worth our time and effort; and those who are brave enough to speak the “truth in love” at those times when we need a wise reprover, we ought to be doubly grateful for, for not everyone will be brave enough to speak!  May we be the “iron sharpening iron”, as well as the gracious recipient of it!

“A word fitly spoken

is like apples of gold

in pictures of silver.

12 As an earring of gold,

and an ornament of fine gold,

so is a wise reprover

upon an obedient ear.”  Proverbs 25:11-12

“Iron sharpeneth iron;

so a man sharpeneth

the countenance of his friend.

18 Whoso keepeth the fig tree

shall eat the fruit thereof:

so he that waiteth on his master

shall be honoured.

19 As in water

face answereth to face,

so the heart of man

to man.”  Proverbs 27:17-19

May God bless you in your walk as a friend, and may HE abundantly bless you with those in your life who will help you be a better person and friend.  May we each be a faithful ‘truth speaker’, and that “face answering face” to bring joy, ease sorrow, share the wisdom of God’s Word, as we lift the hearts of those who are down!

Thank YOU, Jesus, for the blessings of friends, both those I know personally, and those who are faithful followers and pray-ers for this ministry!  Will you join me in the pursuit of excellence in our reflection of The Savior to a lost and dying world—a world in need of a friend?  May we be that friend as God gives us opportunity.  To God be the glory!

Amen and Amen!!!