Grace Trumps Sin 70x7

Sin Is Just Lawlessness On A Personal Level

In our local church sin is still an OK subject for discussion. People recognise that sin is still a very present aspect of their life (Romans 7:14-25) and we are ever-so-grateful that day-by-day the sin is dealt with and that year-by-year there is less of it. Some people compare this to peeling an onion; you take off the outer skin and it's gone, but there is another layer there waiting to come off, and another after that ..

Seventy Times Seven

Fortunately with Jesus as our Saviour God, He will peel away more than “seventy times seven" layers of sin (Matthew 18:21-22), and be happy about it. His happiness comes from our repenting and this comes from our knowing that we're loved and accepted into the family of God, and this translates as faith. The sin comes from living in the world; from the "spirit of this world" (1 Corinthians 2:12, Ephesians 2:2).

A favourite Bible verse for me is Galatians 5:1 "For freedom Christ has set us free .." I absolutely know this to be true.

Jesus wakens our spirit so we know to avail ourselves of the power and liberty of repentance and asking for forgiveness, this makes room for us to be free. A conference speaker once spent three days talking about his restoration from a terrible fall he had taken. He was a leader in one of the big world-renowned churches; whatever he did was so bad he had to resign from all his roles. The church was gracious enough to continue his salary and to work with him to re-establish himself as a Christian, a husband and a father. He learned to "keep short accounts with God"; to quickly respond to his conscience by repenting and seeking forgiveness when he found himself in any kind of lawlessness. He concluded that there is no trivial sin that we can just let slide because nobody cares about it. All sin is offensive to God and is in opposition to His rule and lordship. The fact that we're not an axe murderer and don't rob banks counts for nothing if we sin in another way, and we all do (Romans 3:23). This guy had a big impact on me, I've never forgotten his counsel: "keep short accounts with God"; I daily work towards living so.

Sin comes from Satan. He was one of God's great angels who chose to set himself above God and to subvert His rule. Satan mostly uses people as his instruments in the world, he even got the first humans, Adam and Eve, to persue his evil goals which brought about the great Fall. This caused separation of humankind from God; before that Adam and Eve were on intimate terms with Him, they worked with Him during the day and fellowshipped together in the evenings; I believe that they called Him "Abba", as Jesus does. Sin brought a massive change: separation, guilt, shame, even death (Romans 6:23, Proverbs 10:16). Sin can only be paid for with blood (Ezekiel 3:18). Jesus gave His blood for me, for us all.

Here are some of the sins we see in the Bible, Jesus said: "What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come - sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly" (Mark 7:21-22). 

Paul wrote about the godless: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, coveting, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no loyalty, no love, no mercy" (Romans 1:29-31). 

I guess axe murders and bank robberies are included somewhere here with all the other mean-ness and wrong we are tempted to do (Micah 6:8, Matthew 23:23).

Some ways I see sin at work in the world are with globalisation of businesses where they are now more powerful than sovereign governments; they are rapacious in the marketplace and with their employees; they avoid paying their taxes, (though their advertising always shows them as "good neighbours" to all). 

Slavery too is now a profound evil and a vast international trade; there are more slaves in the world today than at any time in history. Today slaves do not grow cotton and sugar, they are mostly used for sex (endless rape) and make their "owners" millions, probably billions.

But sin is close to home for all of us, like privilege where the rich and powerful, and their children, get the best jobs and the best education opportunities; and bullying where the strong pick on the weak (but only when they are sure they won't be caught).

Political correctness is everywhere in our societies, particularly in the media; lies are spoken as truth while truth is ridiculed and called a lie (Isaiah 59:14-16, Jeremiah 9:5). Words like "inclusion" and "tolerance" are used to cut people out and denigrate them as haters and beyond acceptance; these people are often then persecuted for their beliefs and that is the opposite of freedom of speech and tolerance. All this is sin, it all shows a lack of love, or even care or respect, for our neighbour. You probably have your own list of present day sins which is as sad as mine, and also seemingly impossible to combat, except in our-self!

It is important, as it always has been, that we live our lives in truth and justice (Micah 6:8, Matthew 23:23), and that we use our every influence to encourage our leaders to improve things at their level. Our silence is our consent to the wrong that we see in our communities!

Forgiveness

Forgiveness comes from Jesus. One of God's unchangeable (immutable) qualities is that He is just. He cannot tell a lie or do a wrongful deed; "God is love" (1 John 4:8, 4:16). He wants the same for us; indeed we are made in God's image and have inbuilt knowledge of right and wrong and a desire for justice. This is our conscience. Since the Fall every person's conscience has been awakened (Hebrews 10:22), (though our consciences can be seared and made dull from our sin (1 Timothy 4:2)).

Jesus Rescues Us

To bring humanity back into right relationship with Himself, God sent His firstborn Son Jesus to shed His blood and die for all sin for all time. Jesus is more than a man, He is God who came to Earth as a human being; one of His names is Emanuel, "God with us". He's the only person to have lived a sinless life, so His is the only blood able to pay such a huge price. It was an amazing act of humility and courage for Jesus to submit in innocence to prosecution and execution. We often hear of war heroes; I used to equate this kind of sacrifice with Jesus' death. But the outstanding thing about Jesus is that He was raised from the grave, defeating both death and sin (Romans 8:2). This was a great victory from which we benefit every day.

Jesus ascended to Heaven and now rules and reigns and will do so for ever! Jesus victory brought in the New Covenant where His sacrifice pays for our sin, by grace, and we can reckon ourselves as righteous and live free (Romans 5:17, 6:11, Titus 3:5, 1 Peter 2:24). It is God's desire, and His plan, that as many as possible live in right relationship with Him and with one another, indeed His desire is that "none should perish" (John 6:39).

This is really profound. God gave fully of Himself so that we could live free .. It's a pretty sweet deal; that someone you've just offended should give you forgiveness just because you ask for it! This is our God. He's called the God of grace, and of love, peace, kindness, justice, family .. We can always rely on Jesus to come and help us when we ask.

Grace Trumps Sin

Grace is what brings the changes; we haven't actually done anything to earn forgiveness or release or a new chance at a life, free from guilt and shame. It is a gift from Jesus for us, available for every person, so that we can be re-united with Him as was His plan when He brought life to the Creation.

Do you remember when you became a Christian that you felt "different"? I've heard people say that they "feel lighter", or that everything "looked clearer", or that now they knew "they belonged to someone", or that they could now "realistically hope" .. Well it's all true. Our spirit is quickened, given new life. The most important of our three components, spirit, soul and body, is now beginning to work correctly and this influences everything in us and how we see everything around about. We truly do "become a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Amazing. This is God's grace at work in you and me.

So for us Christians this all works by faith; faith in Jesus and faith in His Gospel which is the good news about his victory over death and sin for us. My faith is that I believe what Jesus tells me through His Word, the Bible, and through His actions and our Father's Kingdom responses. My testimonies, and those of hundreds of others, show me that what is said about God and Jesus is true. I believe in miracles and in the power of prayer because I've seen them in action time and again!

It's so simple really. We recognise and acknowledge our sin and ask God to forgive us, and He does, immediately and forever! Sometimes we may think our sin was so bad that we do not deserve forgiveness, or that God couldn't possibly forgive that sin. These are wrong thoughts and will cause us to carry the weight of sin which is no longer there. Sure, we'll remember how rotten and hurtful we have been, this will help us to improve our behaviors in future and our relationships with others. We also learn to forgive our-self.

Experiential

Many times I have been told: "O John, your experiential description of Christianity and faith is just that; it is only your experience".

I have pondered this view and believe that my thinking is fine – I can relate all my testimonies of my experiences, and my understanding of theology (of who God is), to Scripture, often from multiple places in the Bible, and from both the Old and the New Testaments. Also, I see that the many writers of the 66 books of the Bible talk of their experiences of the God of all Creation having a direct impact on people and events. Those writers give testimony to what they have seen, experienced and heard (Acts 22:15), ".. I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10).

Psalms is known as the Bible book where God’s people talk to Him; the Psalms writers share their praise, their awe, their pain and their hope, all in light of His love and faithfulness. The book of Acts is adventure stories, each of which shows humankind in our need and weakness, blessed by our God in His power, majesty, love and glory. Experiences. The Bible is not something which is simply theoretical or spiritual; Jesus came so that we could have a "full life" (John 10:10b), Scripture shows this "full life" as history, as life lived out, in thousands of lives, long ago. Today we are to share Jesus and His "love"(2 John 1:3), "power"(1 Corinthians 2:4) and "glory"(John 11:4) in this same way, in our testimony.

Jesus

Scripture makes it very clear; we are "free to be free" (Galatians 5:1)! We are not free because we are perfect, but because God makes us righteous in Jesus (Romans 8:2, Acts 13:39).

Thank you Jesus, " .. the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). 

"Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's” (Psalm 103:2-5).

Amen.

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"Grace Trumps Sin [70x7]" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

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Praise Jesus.

Sin Trumps Law

I'm often reminded that we are covered with a myriad of laws. Not just God's law, (which many seem not to recognise), but traffic laws, civic, commercial, environmental and international laws. There are even societal laws, many unwritten, which govern how we behave in society, in our day-by-day rubbing alongside one-another in our lives.

It seems that we are able to get into law breaking in 1001 ways, and sadly all sin or lawlessness is offensive to our good, loving and just God!

Something in me responds to the awareness of a law. My conscience? I can be flowing with traffic when I realise that we're all going just-a-bit over the speed limit; immediately my composure deserts me, I  take my foot off the accelerator and look all around for police. No matter how fast I respond, it remains true that I broke the law! How easy it is! "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin" (Romans 3:20).

The Israelites tried for centuries to completely define the Law which had been brought to them by Moses from Mount Sinai as the Ten Commandments of God (Exodus 34:29,32); they wound up with hundreds of laws and still found that it was impossible for anyone to constantly keep them all.

I'm sure there are laws I've never broken; most people can say they've never robbed a bank, but I can't say that. I've worked for a couple of banks and have surely taken home paper clips or pencils or something which did not belong to me, certainly I've made personal phone calls and shopping lists on their time, so I stole from banks! I know too that I've dishonoured my parents; this is a serious sin among the Ten Commandments. I also had a big problem with envy when I couldn't find a job, this is coveting, another of God's Big Ten. Despite more than a quarter century of being Christian and trying to be good, I know I still sometimes sin .. Paul stated this plainly: "We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin" (Romans 7:14).

Where does this leave me? Us? Because we know the laws we know what to avoid but we also know that we've failed. The law has both helped us and made our life uncomfortable. We're reminded that we have offended our earthly governance and our heavenly Father. "This, then, is my condition: on my own I can serve God's law only with my mind, while my human nature serves the law of sin" (Romans 7:25).

Besides, "the wages of sin is death .." (Romans 6:23). So, because of my sin (which I now cannot undo), I'm clearly deserving of death .. Right?

No law has ever kept humankind from sin. Is it true then that sin has won out over law and we're all doomed to eternal death? Has the law, ultimately, not helped?

Ah, but Jesus came to save us! Praise our Saviour and our Father God! "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh" (Romans 8:1-3).

The Message Bible says "we no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud".

This is good news! Thank you Jesus ..

Favourite Bible Verses

This is Jesus, our Creator and Saviour, my hero:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all humankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:1-5).

"Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103:2-5).

Amen.

Note: The book of Romans, or "The Letter Of Paul To The Romans" is considered by many to be one of the great teaching books of the Bible; it shows us what the New Covenant truly is and how it works. It shows New Covenant theology. A parallel book from the Old Testament may well be Isaiah.

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"Sin Trumps Law" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

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Praise Jesus.

New Covenant: Follow Me

What Should I Do?

When I was really in a mess I used to pray even though I knew that this would do no good, and then I would cry out, "what do You want me to do?" and not hear any answer. There were times I would go out into the fields or the bush so I could really yell so God could really hear. This is the story of how I became able to listen to Him and to obey.

Sometimes I would ask Christian leaders I respected or conference speakers the same thing: "what should I do?" and feel that their answers were not helpful. Perhaps they were answering a different question. Maybe they were used to talking to Christians who had already got it together and didn't need my kind of help.

Among the first things which happened when Trish and I started to spend time with "born again" and "believer baptism" and "charismatic" Christians was that they went to prayer meetings and clearly found them to be rich and vital. We started to go as well, and have done ever since. Quite quickly I identified with Isaiah 62:6 and saw myself and our new friends as some of God's "appointed watchmen". Prayer was not only a "normal" activity for Christians, it was desirable and it was effective as many testimonies quickly came to show. I learned some of the Scriptural promises to God's people and would pray, reminding Him, asking why others seemed to be blessed with answers to these promises while I was left hanging in the wind.

Preachers would sometimes tell us to speak positively over our circumstances because "words have power". Well I was already a failed salesman and had been on all the courses and read "How To Win Friends And Influence People" by Dale Carnegie and much else besides. To me, these were just more promises, from the world rather than from God, which somehow did not work for me.

It was a desperate time. I had so much to live for but no idea how to live. Jesus said that His people would live "life to the full" (John 10:10). Before I was married to Trish and became a dad I had tried to find adventure everywhere (and succeeded pretty well). Now that I had responsibilities I had to think in different terms, to establish myself in a Christian way so my family would be secure and could grow .. But I did not want to just keep quiet, conform to those around me, and be a mouse.

When we come to know Jesus and our Father God we learn that the spiritual world is real and of huge importance, greater even than the physical. Life is more than a roof over our head and three square meals a day. We were designed and given breath to be "speaking spirits" (Genesis 2:7) and "to attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13), that is, to manifest the “image and likeness of God” (Genesis 1:26).

Time and again Scripture talks about us as "spirit, soul and body" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). People tend to talk about "body and soul", ignoring our spirit, putting the physical first, then the soul which is our mind, will and emotions.

This, I think, is what I had to change in me, that I had to do something about. My spirit needed to wake up and be available to Jesus. It was not enough that I assented to the truth about Jesus and the Kingdom of God, my spirit had to assimilate into it; I needed to become a more spiritually aware person and allow Jesus to form relationship with this new me!

The change did happen .. I'm not sure how this was done, Jesus came to me in a way that I was able to bond with Him, it was something He did .. It changed everything .. (See "God’s Father Heart", my very first www.PsalmsOfJohn.com post).

Considering how much our Creator God puts into each one of us, our clear responsibility is to grow the spirit, soul and body elements of our person into the very best that their potential offers. The whole Bible teaches us this; so many stories tell of adventure where people go far beyond what they thought they could do (2 Samuel 23:20,22; Luke 1:26-80; Luke 10:1-24; Acts 8:30-39). Now I am constantly being surprised at the things Jesus does by using me, or Trish and me together.

This is where "follow me" comes in.

We're told that Jesus was a great teacher and the very best example of life and ministry. But I see that He was bringing something new to the world. Abraham, Moses, David and the other Old Testament heroes had a focus on God and godliness .. but they always seemed to struggle with what was beyond their grasp. Even when things were going well for Israel and her people they seemed much more earth-bound and concerned with the past than with living with God in His Kingdom. (This is pretty much how I felt .. life in my spirit, in my person and in my body, were not like our Maker's description ..)

So, in order to grow people in their hearts and spirits, Jesus recruited twelve young men into His team to disciple them. His methods were nothing like those used by professional recruiters and "head hunters" today. Jesus simply walked up to someone and said "follow me". Time and again we see this in Scripture (Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 10:38, 16:24, 19:21, John 1:43, 10:27, 12:26, 13:36, 21:19, 21:22 and others).

Jesus' main team turned out to be a very ordinary bunch; many do not get a mention in the Gospels beyond being named as one of the "twelve". Peter seems to have been top pick and he messed up badly until after Jesus was crucified; then Jesus so loved on Peter that he was transformed and is still remembered as a great teacher and leader in the early Church (John 21:15-19).

Jesus called those to "follow me" whom He planned to disciple. Discipleship involved sticking close and paying attention. In those days they used to say that a disciple would "walk in his rabbi's dust" because he would have to be very close to hear what was said as they walked from place to place. 

When I think of these twelve I see them trying to be good students but they would be like our oldest son, Tom, who is a carpenter. Tom's very good at learning things but, like most of the twelve, he much prefers to be on the tools, doing things, at this he shines. Those young men will have worked hard at their studies, but they also will have had a lot of fun together, letting off steam; I see them by the river where they would go to bathe as they traveled about. They would have been splashing water and flicking towels just like young men today. They would have squabbled over the food and joshed each other about the pretty girls they met. But the serious thing was to "follow me".

There are some Christian leaders here who I love; pastors Phil and Jeanette, intercessor Wendy, and theologian, teacher and intercessor John. These four clearly follow Jesus who, many years ago, led them into a particular aspect of ministry. Their work and their lives are unique. They've been given a vision and have continued to look to Jesus in that (growing) vision for decades. They are effective, inspirational and tireless. They love. They are disciples at work and in life. I am deeply honoured to know and love them and desire to have the kind of commitment and application that they demonstrate. They follow, they are disciples.

Some years ago a couple in our local church put together a series of hands-on seminars called "Train To Reign". They were based on the notion that we each have a Kingdom destiny, that we were born for a purpose. 

It seems likely then that our Father and our Lord and Saviour will have shaped us by their Holy Spirit to be equipped for this purpose. The couple taught a vital aspect of discipleship; following. We were helped to identify our deep-down passion; for many of us, me included, this was a near impossible task. (What? Me? Look inside myself and describe what I see?) This couple were great, we all found that thing which God had sown in us. We were then shown how to brainstorm about our untapped treasure, and how to share with others. No committees were set up to manage all the new ministries that Jesus was showing us, no leaders were appointed to oversee us. We were encouraged to simply pray then talk to friends and family and get started.

Results for many individuals and couples over the next year or so were outstanding. Trish and I started new things based in our home which are still going and which bring life and joy to many, and immense satisfaction to us. We grow in Jesus because we are participating in what He is doing on the Earth, right now, right here. Sure our pastors know about what we do; they bless us and pray for us and these ministries, and sometimes they are included. But they do not manage what we do, it's not even completely part of our local church's activities. It's John and Trish's work with Jesus for the body of Christ and the world. Micro-ministries.

I now see a huge variety of micro-ministries everywhere I look in the Church. A family will travel in South-East Asia and encounter a school or orphanage and see that it needs help; so they help, this becomes part of their life. Others will see an opportunity to start a Bible study, or a fellowship time over coffee, or to be the only Christian guy coaching kids soccer at the local club, or to raise money for a tiny mission .. Fantastic! Isn’t this what the New Testament is asking us to do?

I truly believe that obedience outweighs anointing. When we obey our Lord, He makes the way and will provide all necessary anointing, and gifting too. He promises to meet “all our needs” (Luke 12:24), give Him the opportunity to do this. Obedience provides the fuel ..

So, pray and wait and listen for His soft voice .. Hear Jesus' call, the what, the where and the how of it. Hear His "follow me .." 

You will "see" an idea. Your heart will be stirred. You'll think "I can help there" or "I can do that". Do it. It's for you and it's unique. Not part of a program. Not overseen by a leader or a committee. Yours. You and Jesus, “Head of the Church” (Colossians 1:18), working together to accomplish His plans. Start small and you can use the resources you already have. There likely will be no worldly glory, mostly it will be hard work and unseen by the world. But Father God will see because it is His Kingdom work, and He will be delighted, filled with joy!

God does not make two snow flakes the same, nor two people. There is something only you can offer, no matter how broken or unready you think you are. Just follow Jesus ..

Bless you ..

Amen

Favorite Song

Probably a decade ago some of our kids came home excited about an American group of young Christians who like to sing to the Lord Jesus together .. they took me to see them .. these Christian musicians express my hearts desire .. I find their words achingly true:

      I don't want to ride on somebody else's passion

      I don't want to find that I'm just dry bones

      I want to burn with unquenchable fire

      Deep down inside

      See it coming alive.

      Help me find my own flame

      Help me find my own fire

      I want the real thing

      I want your burning desire.

(from Will Reagan And United Pursuit - Live At Bank's House - my kids took me to a show they did when they came here to our city - a lovely blessing)

Favorite Bible Verses

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34). 

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).

'And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men"' (Matthew 4:19).

Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

Prayer With An Ache

The Hope Of Prayer When No Change Can Be Seen

Do you sometimes think your prayers are just falling to the ground? Or falling on deaf ears? There are things on my heart which have been there for so long that there's a sense of desperation because nothing appears to ever change; the sickness or trouble remains despite so much being attempted in every way, and despite years of prayer; intense prayer, purposeful and personal.

Can it be that Jesus has forgotten about this trouble?

"Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favour again?  Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time?" (Psalm 77:7-8).

I ask "Is it me? My sin? The way I'm praying? Am I not praying hard enough, or with too little heart? Am I full of pride or self interest?"

" .. has God in anger withheld his compassion?" (Psalm 77:9).

After a while I remember who I am, just like this Psalmist who goes through the exhausting process of doubt and self-doubt before he pours out praises to God.

Deep down I know that my name is written on God's hand, that God is my Abba Father (Romans 8:15), and not a stern, authoritative father figure. I know that Jesus delights to be my brother. I know that I'm in the midst of a dialog with Jesus, that we often share together, that He so very often directs my path and that I have known so many miraculous healings of spirit, soul and body, (Trish says my healings of spirit and soul are profound and life giving for our whole family).

The very fact that these www.PsalmsOfJohn.com articles are inspired, get written, and posted (a long slow process) is a continuing example of Jesus' loving kindness, (He does most of the work!)

So, is there a simple answer? Is there a reason some prayers are answered while others seem to persist in not being answered?

Our older daughter, Kate, has been sick, pretty much all the time but with varying symptoms, since she was 8 years old. At that time we lived on a hobby farm in our Southwest where I'd taken an IT job for a mining company. Kate will be 30 in a few months. Through all those years we, (and now as an adult, she), has seen every kind of medical doctor and had every kind of test, and seen many "other" health professionals, Christian healing ministers and counselors.

Medical and the health sciences have leapt forward over those 20+ years, nothing has thrown light on Kate's problems, or helped in any real way.  We've never given up, never stopped praying. Strangely I'm not tired of the battle, although I think Kate is. She's moving back in with us, we all think this will be very good. Trish and I are determined to see Kate well and leading a full life, with her own family, making a way for herself as an artist where she shows such precious talent and aptitude.

As our first daughter, Kate has always been special and very beloved. She was the first in our family to show creative talent with the drive and desire to produce art works, and, I think, the first of our children to consciously come to Jesus as a believer.

(We also pray for others whose situations seem not to progress; people with bi-polar, ME, MS, diabetes and more, and for others with really sad relationship troubles).

When I think on these things I have more questions than answers. It appears from what we can see that God is inconsistent but we know that this is not so. Scripture is adamant that one of God's great attributes is that He never changes and is the same "yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8), He is always "our Rock" (1 Samuel 2:2, Psalm 18:2).

PAIN AND SUFFERING IN THE BIBLE

A major theme of Scripture is that of pain, suffering, affliction, tribulation and sickness. This is not an area we tend to emphasise, but it runs throughout God's wonderful story of humankind, from Adam and Eve in Genesis to Jesus, triumphant, in Revelation.

After speaking the Universe into existence, God found it "very good". Then Satan came into the Garden where Adam and Eve, as God's beloved and faithful helpers were participating with God to bring "much fruit", and he messed things up .. Satan is now called "the prince of this world" (John 12:31, Ephesians 2:2); he has been defeated by Jesus but continues to rule through this present age.

To Adam God said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat from it' cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life" (Genesis 3:17).

Our experiences show this still to be true .. Jesus' words confirm the situation but also encourage and give hope ..

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Jesus knows our situation, whatever it is, because He has experienced it:

He was despised and rejected by humankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain and grief. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem (Isaiah 53:3).

Jesus led the only perfect human life, we are encouraged to follow Him and emulate Him with all our heart and strength ..

"Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and follow after Me cannot be My disciple" (Luke 14:27).

Paul, that fabulous Christian minister and teacher who surely was the apple of God's eye, shared this testimony:

"Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,   I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.   I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.   Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.   Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?   If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness" (2 Corinthians 11:24-30). Paul wrote these words from prison.

PROMISED VICTORY

But Paul knew how to find the promised victory in Jesus ..

"Through Him we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope" (Romans 5:2-4).

"Perseverance" is one of my favourite Bible words. After an exciting and successful IT career, I was largely unemployed through the last 18 years of my working life. This left me badly broken on the inside. Sin grew in me and I hated it, especially the sin of envy! I clung to Jesus who brought me through .. In my spirit I knew: "where else can I go and find life and truth if not with you Jesus" (see John 6:68).

Over and over those godly writers of the Scriptures tell us:

"Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers" (1 Timothy 4:16).

"For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God" (1 Peter 2:19).

" .. rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer .. " (Romans 12:12).

 "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth" (Hebrews 11:13).

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised" (Hebrews 10:36).

"Take care of yourselves; don't throw away all the labour that has been spent on you, but persevere till you receive your full reward" (2 John 8 J.B. Phillips).

ALWAYS PRAYER

And remember prayer .. always be ready to pray .. it's God's way to an answer ..

"On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves" (Isaiah 62:6 NASB).

"For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but spiritual, and have divine power to destroy strongholds and false arguments" (2 Corinthians 10:4). 

JESUS' GREAT PLAN IS ADVANCING

"For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.  And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:38-40).

We know from the vastness, complexity and beauty of the Creation that the Creator must be infinitely present and clever and purposeful and able. We wonder at and acknowledge the exact and delicate balance in which all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17).

We then remember many, perhaps hundreds, of Bible verses which describe God's mighty deeds for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and for Ruth and Samuel, David, Elisha and Job, then Mary and Elizabeth, Jesus and His Twelve, and Paul and all the others; a compassionate caring God who is fully able and willing to keep up His end of the covenants He has made with humankind, right down through the ages. 

From our own Christian walk we take such strength from the signs and wonders we have heard about or seen or experienced or shared in because we prayed. I can remember supernatural events for so many, near and far, all around the world; there must be a thousand miracles that I know to be true!

Strangely I'm not even sure that this is where my faith comes from. I think that that comes from knowing Jesus, from being so beloved by Him, by Him bringing me to His Father and asking "Abba, here's John. Please make him a son, just as I am .." and Father God immediately accepting me, just as I am, because it was Jesus asking. The same Jesus who is the only perfect man, the God Jesus who was raised from the dead by a loving, just and holy Father because He is perfectly without sin and had willingly given His life to pay for all our sin forever. Jesus who is King of kings and Lord of lords now and eternally. The Boss!

A few years ago Jesus impressed on Trish and I that He wanted us to set aside one Saturday night a month to pray and to soak in His presence, to be free of all human clutter so we could hear what He had to say. Initially we advertised these evenings which meant we had to spring-clean the house and be home on that night. So it is sacrificial. But, wow! Are these nights special! We end with Communion then a time of spoken prayer as people feel called to speak, then a cuppa (or dinner) and a time of sharing. Amazing things happen. Every time.

We now can't wait for once-a-month so most Saturdays (or perhaps the Sunday) Trish and I have an hour or so of soaking prayer before dinner, just us and Jesus, Father God and Holy Spirit. We play simple spirit filled music, otherwise it is quiet. Invariably we are overwhelmed by the assurance that God is still who He says He is, and that we can leave all our problems with Him because ultimately He will deal with everything, fully and compassionately.

"But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish" (Psalm 9:18).

For me, this sense of assurance is enough. I'm still old and a little overweight with a list of medical problems; these things seem not to change week by week, or even year by year. But my big things have been dealt with; I'm a changed man, just ask Trish and our kids, and I no longer have the big health issues: no more melanoma cancers, my heart is fixed, the diabetes is gone, my skin is holding together and my knees and feet work well enough that I can still trek and ride a bike!

And Kate and the others I pray for? Lord Jesus, please give me the strength to continue to stand in the gap for all these ones, with your faith, hope and love. Amen.

"But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish" (Psalm 9:18).

Amen.

FAVOURITE BIBLE VERSES

" .. will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Genesis 18:25).

" .. 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" (Ephesians 4:12-13).

" .. through him we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;  and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope" (Romans 5:2-4).

"God has chosen to make known the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).

“Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life’" (John 6:68).

Bless you. Pray and give blessings. Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

In Their Image: Marriage

In The Image and Likeness of God: Marriage

Our fourth son Peter is getting married this year to a delightful young woman whose name is Merci. We are all very excited. Peter is showing real maturity and appears to be accepting that his levels of responsibility are greatly increasing. The excitement is very tangible and so is this sense of growing maturity. As a father I find it all very satisfying, life is advancing ..

I have had a very high regard for marriage since my teen years. Now that I'm Christian I've also come to complete acceptance that marriage, children and families are a vital part of God's plan.

When I was about 15 I saw an older couple walking on the beach at sunset. They were holding hands and talking. Clearly they belonged together. This was a formative moment for me, I knew that this is where I wanted to be one day, and to have lived all the years that would have contributed to this lovely moment.

Around that same time I heard a wise person say "marriage is a conversation". Although I was a typical teenager at the time, something in me knew that this also was a formative moment. These words have been proven true to me time after time. Open and active communication is vital to a solid marriage. Trish and I have been on communications courses so that we continue to grow in our many-faceted "conversation"!

Now I can say that Trish’s and my marriage is one of the really good things about my life. (Trish tells me that it is the same for her). It's hard work too, but great. We've found that "love" and "marriage" are both doing words, they take much effort and require forward movement.

As humans, we hold the top position in the Creation: "God created humankind in their own image and likeness .. and behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:27,31), the earlier parts of the Creation were simply called "good", and they are good, right?

We tend to regard the physical as our primary home; we use our five senses minute by minute and often forget about our spiritual life and the senses which let us "see" spiritually. Until my spiritual senses were developed, (which was not hard to do but did take prayer, effort and much time), I could not see much spiritual at all, it was very frustrating being with others who could see, specially as I felt I knew the Creator and His Creation well, and His Scriptures.

The Bible tells us "God is spirit" (John 4:24), "God is love" (1 John 4:16), "God is eternal" (Jude 1:25), "God is truth" (Psalm 31:5), "God is just" (2 Thessalonians 1:6), "God is kind" (Luke 1:78). (You can each add more lovely attributes of God which you've affirmed from your own lives). All of these qualities can only be seen in relationship; so God is first of all relational. We see this first in the God-head, then in the Creation.

God of the Bible is three yet one. One God and three Persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, inseparable. They always love one another, give to each other and work together, each contributing from His unique qualities. In many places the Scriptures call God "Elohim", a Hebrew plural word, plural because the writers knew that God was not simply one. (Hebrew was the original language of the Old Testament, and Greek the original language of the New Testament).

The constant and eternal closeness of Father, Son and Spirit is called perichoresis, this word can only be used to describe God, nothing and no-one in the Creation has a perichoretic degree of closeness. So, above all, God is relational within Himself.

"Perichoresis" is one of the very few "big" words I remember from Bible college; I can still remember my joy on reading Genesis chapters 1 and 2, and John chapter 1 after learning about perichoresis. Awesome. Father, Son and Holy Spirit together created everything! 

Now I see Jesus all through the Psalms, and our Father's and Holy Spirit's involvement in all Jesus' life and miracles.

It follows, as night follows day, that, because people are made in God's "image and likeness" we too are relational; we must also be love and kindness and be called towards truth and justice. Does this sound like how you want to be? It's only natural that we should, it's how we are made. (See Note 2).

Now I believe that human marriage is the nearest we can ever come to perichoresis, it is a permanent state of commitment, giving, love and intimacy here in the world. This is very precious and delightful, an essential and fulfilling part of God's design.

So our excitement for our son and his fiancé is natural and good .. Praise Jesus.

FAVORITE SCRIPTURE VERSES

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails .." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV).

"The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.  He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,  and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:15-20 NIV).

"Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord, the God of truth and faithfulness" (Psalm 31:5 Amplified).

Note 1: GROUPS

When our kids were still young (Peter and his twin Rebecca may have been just 5 or 6), Trish and I were blessed to hear a number of talks, always by young men or young couples, recommending that teenagers should spend their time with groups of friends rather than seek out one-at-a-time relationships and go through the serial dating-and-breaking-up which is so painful, (even soul destroying), but which seems to be the norm for Western teens over the past two or three of generations.

One guy reminded us that for every single person ever born in the world, God has a plan. If this is so, and it is well accepted amongst Christians, then He will already have our perfect life companion already picked out. 

Wouldn't it be a great idea then to pray into God's plan? To pray for this one girl or boy, starting now, today; praying for their family, that the child would respect their parents and be kind, be a conscientious student, care for their health, brush their teeth, eat properly, learn to say "no" gracefully at appropriate times yet develop a healthy sense of adventure, and care for their spirit and soul too, that they grow to know and love Jesus, and develop rich and healthy friendships ..

Trish and I were amazed at these ideas which sounded so radical, yet for the generations before ours (before the idea of "teenagers" was invented), they would have been considered sensible and normal. So we prayed with our children; we prayed, (and still pray),  for the ones intended by Jesus' plan for our children's good and very productive and satisfying lives .. It made sense to also pray the same thing for our own children so that they would be worthy of these chosen wives-and-husbands-to-be Jesus was watching over, in which-ever family and in what-ever country and people-group they may be!

We also kept talking up this "group-of-friends" idea. When the kids were going out we encouraged them to go with a sibling or two and to think in terms of the group. Even for school dances and balls, we would suggest that the kids got a table together rather than find one special girl or boy and put their entire focus on her or him. Rather that they plan to have a great night with a group of real friends, where everyone makes sure that they all have fun and do plenty of dancing and enjoy the meal together, even hiring a limo so they all travel together.

Well, our efforts seem to have paid off, we're delighted at how our kids have turned out and at the really good decisions they have made. Of course this is not universally so .. we've all had our moments! There has never been a month when we've not had to be parents. There have been sadnesses and mistakes. Well, we only have to look at our own lives .. 

We are so grateful to be Christians, that we have our Father in Heaven looking out for us, and Jesus guiding us and ceaselessly praying for each one! We pray blessings into their life choices, and specially into their marriages.

Note 2: PAIN AND EVIL IN THE WORLD

Though God is love, sadly there is more than love in the world. Satan has affected so much, the Bible calls him the "prince of this world" (John 16:11) and "the spirit of the world" (1 Corinthians 2:12), he stands condemned because Jesus paid for all sin when He died on the cross 2000 years ago, but he is still active almost everywhere. We are all affected by this, even the most holy people we know (see Romans 7:14-25). Only in Jesus are we safe. As Christians we have power and authority in the spiritual world over sin and Satan (Luke 10:19, Colossians 2:10).

Note 3: NURTURE

Maggie Dent, an Australian author and broadcaster, discussing "Live Fast, Die Young"  a book and a community program, on Australian Radio ABC1, "Talking Heads", 14th July 2010. Quotes:

"Human connectedness is what keeps us alive. Nothing Else. Relationships".

"So, build pastoral care among our young people. Give them your relationship if there are no others. Make sure they eat properly, get good sleep and laugh. Exhausted, unloved, hungry kids are liable to make crazy, costly decisions".

Kids who have known tough times are often ill equipped for adult life; to have been rescued by someone like Maggie Dent will be much more ready to live a full life and to marry and be a parent. Praise Jesus for big hearts.


Bless us all.
Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

Promises Promises

Awesome New Covenant Realities For Us

A conversation with a friend got me thinking about faith, hope and love. As Christians we are taught that these are fundamental to our life; Scripture assures us:

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).

"But since we belong to the day [that is, to this world], let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet" (1 Thessalonians 5:8).

Experience confirms this in our testimonies; that when we truly believe that Jesus, our Saviour God, is still for us and always praying and working on our behalf, then we see miracles (often not the miracle we were asking for but a change in our heart, or a change in circumstances which meets our needs and brings peace).

From there I started to ponder Bible promises I've been hearing for most of my life. It was like a light shining when I realised that the promises I remembered best were from the Old Testament and were practical, to do with the physical world; they assured me that my enemies would be totally defeated and I would gain their wealth, and that all would go well for me and my family, and for my tribe. Suddenly I saw that these are old promises; they are but a shadow of what God intends for His people. The New Covenant is here ..

For many, many years I expected to see my life improve in physical terms in line with these old promises; it was ages before I saw the reality that I am in full-time relationship with Jesus and that now my life is centred on the spiritual. Now I live largely in peace, satisfaction and joy! My relationships have all blossomed and I want for nothing (though I am still far from rich in worldly terms).

Our country is at peace, and we don't have enemies as did ancient Israel, but the life I see around me is not full of overwhelming victory even though almost everyone I know is Christian .. there is sickness and debt, and many have very difficult relationship issues. The news from TV, radio and the press about politics and corporations and drugs and wars is almost all bad. Or worse, the news sounds good but is full of the upside-down ideas and the un-truths of political correctness.

Thankfully I remember Who I belong to, and how He alone brings peace and the ability to carry on. Jesus is the source of all my faith, hope and love.

Here are some of the promises I remembered, and some thoughts on how much better off we all are with Jesus as our constant companion in His New Covenant:

Victory

There are many promises that we'll have victory in all our contests here on Earth, and our troubles will flee from us:

"Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword" (Leviticus 26:8).

"And every armed man of you will pass over the Jordan before the Lord, until He has driven out His enemies from before him" (Numbers 32:21).

The truth is that we don't have to defeat people or nations to reach our "Promised Land". We are the "New Jerusalem". We are children of God, the betrothed of Jesus!

"And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband" (Revelation 21:2). That's us!

Remember too: "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12).

We have been given full authority in the spiritual world in the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 and throughout the Gospels and Letters:

"I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all [all!] the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you" (Luke 10:19).

"And in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority" (Colossians 2:10), we have the authority and power of Jesus in the world.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son" (John 14:12-13).

We have been given "the ministry of reconciliation" to work as "ambassadors" and help "reconcile the world" to God (2 Corinthians 5:17-19). This is the opposite of seeking the defeat and destruction of our enemies ..

Wealth From Others As Spoils Of War

"But the women, and the little ones, and the livestock, and all that is in the city, even all its spoil, you shall take for a prey to yourself; and you shall eat the spoil of your enemies, which the Lord your God has given you" (Deuteronomy 20:14).

"That you may crush them, dipping your foot in blood, that the tongues of your dogs may have their portion from your enemies" (Psalm 68:23).

In Jesus we have no need to covet the assets or the humility of our enemies, or to grab from others. We are given all that we need (Luke 12:22-34). Instead we are required to love our enemies, and bless them. The great commission includes these very people, they are part of "all nations".

"Go 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 28:20).

The greatest blessing we can ever give another person is to introduce Jesus to them .. we have the Spirit (and the task) of "reconciliation"(2 Corinthians 5:17-19) and our Lord Jesus is the "Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

Again and again Jesus tells us: "follow me" (Matthew 4:19, 8:22, 9:9, 10:38, 16:24, 19:21, Mark 1:17, 2:14, 8:34, 10:21, Luke 5:27, 9:23, 9:59, 9:61, 18:22, John 1:43, 10:27, 12:26, 13:36, 21:19, 21:22). 

This "follow me" command from Jesus is very important and precious to me! It calls for obedience which is given a high place in the New Testament (Matthew 28:20, Luke 11:28, Acts 5:32, Romans 16:26). We are to do the works Jesus specifically asks us, each one.

Special Giftings

"Many nations will go and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths'. For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.  And he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off. They will beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more" (Micah 4:2-3).

What great promises .. physical safety (though somewhere in the future). But the benefits spoken of here all come through the good works of people and nations; sadly this has never much happened in all of history.

Never mind, we have so much more with Jesus, we Christians have become the "house of the God of Jacob". "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" (1 Corinthians 6:19), we have become what the Arc of the Covenant used to be, and are never separate from God. The "Word of the Lord" is Jesus, we do not just hear "the Word", He lives inside us; His Holy Spirit will "teach us all things" (John 14:26). "The anointing you received from Him [Jesus, by His Spirit] remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you" (1 John 2:27).

In our world today many warn us, as Jeremiah did in Bible times: "Don't go forth into the field, nor walk by the way; for the sword of the enemy, and terror, are on every side” (Jeremiah 6:25).

But this is worldly talk and takes no account of our Lord's protection, nor of his spiritual authority and power which we carry all the time (Luke 10:19).

Testimonies by the thousands support these truths. When Jesus calls each one of us "a new creation" He is speaking a profound truth. The world has never seen anything like the renewed humanity of us Christians who have the God of all the Creation indwelling in us.

So please, cleave to the truth. You are continuously being given all that you need to lead the full and satisfying life your Father in Heaven has always planned for you (Ephesians 2:10). Ask Jesus, "how shall I follow you? What is it you want me to do as my unique share in your work on the Earth?" Ask often. Don't worry when you fail. Persevere. And cling tightly to the faith, hope and love our Lord Jesus gives you.

Bless you.

Amen.

Favourite Scriptures

"But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).

"And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6).

"For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace" (John 1:16).

"For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favour upon favour and gift [heaped] upon gift" (John 1:16) Amplified.

Amen.

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Praise Jesus.