“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
What a challenging text! Not to memorize, but to live by!
Rejoice always…REALLY?
Pray without ceasing…REALLY?
In EVERYTHING give thanks…REALLY?
To read this text without pausing to think about what it means is daunting. And even when we do have an understanding of the meaning it can still be difficult, but it is a great scripture to put to heart because the words of Jesus are true, “In this world you will have trouble.” (John 16:33) And if we learn in the midst of the trouble of this world to rejoice, to pray, to give thanks we will find a way through those trials and tribulations.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.” -Proverbs 3:5, 6
The meter of the poetry literature of scripture makes this text and others like it more easily retained within our memory banks. In fact this scripture like last weeks (Psalm 119:105) is likely one that you put to memory years ago, maybe even when you were a child receiving a star on the memorization chart in Sabbath or Sunday school. I know that is true for me.
At the beginning of 2016 I announced to my church and here on my blog that I would be blogging through the Bible daily. I took this challenge on to help motivate our Spencerville Church family to study the Word of God consistently. It was an ambitious goal, but one I thought I could definitely achieve. Needless to say, I WAS WRONG! I believe I only made it through about 140 days give or take a few. Praise God though many still read through the Bible in a year even without the motivation of my daily blog.
Now in 2017 our church has once again set forth on an endeavor to read through God’s Holy Scriptures in one year. If you would like to follow the reading plan that Spencerville Church will be following in 2017 (a different plan than last year) you can do so by signing-up for our weekly update at the bottom of Spencerville’s website, and since we are already into 2017 here are the readings for this the first week of January:
I want to focus on chapter 2 verses 9 & 10 from today’s reading in this post.
As a pastor there are people whom like to share with me all kinds of “conspiracy theories” especially as they are related to the “end times” or rather the role those “conspiracy theories” will play in bringing about the end of time. Often these “conspiracies” are secrets, things most people can’t see but they are happening.
Today we began the Gospel of John, to many their favorite Gospel and according to some polls like Biblegateway.com’s poll the favorite book in all the Bible with none of the synoptic Gospels in the top 10. John is not my favorite of the four Gospels (Luke is my current favorite, it used to be Mark, so one day it could be John :)), but it does possess some of my favorite passages in all of scripture like John 3:17…yes I know everyone else talks about John 3:16 also great, but I love John 3:17.
One of my favorite stories, a story that some scholars doubt that it should even be in the Bible or the veracity of it, I embrace it as a true part of the canon, John 8:2-11.
And of course John gives the most clear picture of the role of the Holy Spirit in all the Bible (John 14-16)
The Gospel of John is a great book and you’ll be blessed reading a portion of it every seven days for the next several weeks.
In all the Bible there is much we can spiritualize, which is not always a bad thing, it helps us add personal application, but at times we should address what is really being said because those perspectives can add great application as well, just such a topic appears in the first chapter of John,
“He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.” -John 1:11
I have heard and I have applied and I do apply this to myself and really all humanity. Since we were all made by Him John 1:3 in a true since we are all Jesus’ “own people.” But that application is really a spiritualization of the text. The literal idea/intent John is expressing is that Jesus, came as a Jew, came to the Jews–first–His own people–His remnant, and they rejected Him. Now John is not talking about individual Jews, he is speaking of the corporate system of Judaism. Why do I even point this out? It is not to pick on the Jews, but to point out Jesus was not a Jew exclusively for Jews. His mission in the book of John is very clear, He is a global Savior. The very next two verses reveal this,
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” -John 1:12, 13
“To ALL,” who are the “ALL”? Those that were not born simply as Jews by blood/flesh/will of man, though this does not eliminate the ability of a individual born Jewish to be saved, but that salvation is no longer and should no longer be perceived as a matter of birth, but as a matter of heart!
Then we see again in John 1:29 a mission statement for Jesus and we see again it is global not localized to the Jewish nation,
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” -John 1:29
Jesus’ mission is for all humanity and His desire is that all humanity will receive Him as their Savior. We are all invited to be part of the remnant of His seed.
Tomorrow’s Reading: The book of 2nd Thessalonians
The Proverbs are a treasure trove and literally every Proverb I am sure in some aspect can be applied to my life, but I will not just rewrite the Proverbs out in their entirety so here are the two that remind me of areas I need to improve:
A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger. -Proverb 15:1Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed. -Proverb 15:22
Which of the proverbs from these two chapters is the Holy Spirit asking you to ponder on a little longer?
Tomorrow’s Reading: Ezekiel 43-48
In today’s reading of three beautiful Psalms one verse in particular stood out to me as a prayer request for my life.
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us;
yes, establish the work of our hands!” -Psalm 90:17
Lord Jesus as I move out of this summer and begin another busy season in service to Your church may everything that we do as a church, that I do as a pastor be established by You! Let me not come to the end of the year and see the work any man or woman could accomplish on their own, but may we see evidence that truly You established our work for this season of ministry! -Amen
Tomorrow’s Reading: Proverbs 14 & 15
I would imagine that most leaders long to be “Josiah’s” …Great reformers. Willing to make whatever change is necessary for the good of the people. A person that is as true as the needle to the pole.
Some try and fail miserably.
Some are to scared to really deal with the conflict thus organizations, churches, schools, stay static…maybe even static in great sin.
What was it that made Josiah so strong.
His personality? His giftedness? His confidence?
It seems the answer is in 2 Kings 23:26,
“Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.”
What made Josiah a great reformer?
The greatest reformers:
Became great reformers in the order of Josiah as they gave their ALL due to ALL they learned in the Word of God.
I cannot reform anyone or anything without being first reformed myself, not by self-help or self-will, but by God’s Word.
Tomorrow’s Reading: Psalms 90-92
Psalm 60: The Psalmist sees God as the one who has defeated Israel in some capacity. But the Psalmist quickly moves into promise of hope that even in the midst of struggle, maybe even in the midst of punishment the people have somewhere to go,
You have set up a banner for those who fear you,
that they may flee to it from the bow. -Psalm 60:4
A reminder to us that when in tough times, even when those times are due to our wrong and sinful ways, God has set a banner for us to see, a place for us to return for safety, refuge, and renewal. What a wonderful promise!
Psalm 61: This Psalm to me feels like a plea from one who feels isolated, separated from the things in life that feel comfortable, feel safe. The Psalmist knows in who past security and comfort has been found, “You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.” And then as is so often the case, almost as a statement of faith, or not almost but definitely as a statement of faith that it will happen the last verse (v. 8) is a word of praise in expectation of a positive outcome.
Psalm 62: Let the opening stanza of this Psalm be the reality of our hearts today and every day.
For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. -Psalm 62:1, 2
The last line is a beautiful dose of reality, “I will not be GREATLY shaken.” I will be shaken in certain instances, but praise Jesus through Him I will not be GREATLY shaken.
Psalm 63: Read the first 8 verses of this Psalm. Do you, do I have this great of recognition of the need for God in our lives? I’ve met people who do, the difference in the peace they have and I often have is far different. The greatest example of this great dependence on God I’ve ever seen was one of my mentors Pastor Hazel Burns. You could hear the dependence in her prayers, you could see the dependence in her boldness, you believed God trusted her to rely solely on Him by supplying her with amazing divine encounters! “O God, You are my God!”
Psalm 64: I see in this Psalm a reminder that as I cast judgments or even lay plans of revenge against another if I do so I do so at the risk that those things would come back to be used against me. I know that most would put themselves in the position of the one that is being attacked, but I am not so arrogant to believe that it is not my tongue and my plotting and my heart that are the ones laying evil. Help me Jesus.
Psalm 65: This psalm, beyond the beauty of the message, just the rhythm and the flow of the lyrics are beautiful and pleasant to read. But to me the greatest beauty of this Psalm is the proclamation of God’s divine power in verses 5-13 that affirm His power to forgive our sins (verses 1-4).
“When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions.” -Psalm 65:3
Psalm 66: The most powerful line in this psalm to me is in verse 16
Come and hear, all you who fear God,
and I will tell what he has done for my soul. -Psalm 66:16
I wish more believers in Christ even if they knew nothing else of God they would follow the example here of the Psalmist and be an evangelist through their testimony. If you and I know nothing else we still know what our experience with God has been and that is the hardest thing for an unbeliever to argue with. “Come and let me tell you what God has done for me.” That should be our opening evangelistic line to our neighbors, coworkers, and the strangers on the street.
Psalm 67:
May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2 that your way may be known on earth,
your saving power among all nations. -Psalm 67:1, 2
Are God’s blessings and grace all about me? Or should they be all about making Him better known and better loved? I believe the correct answer is the latter.
Psalm 68: I didn’t really resonate with this Psalm when I read it, so I went to my commentaries and I am so glad I did! Because I got out of it this one little nugget. The translators all translate the names in this psalm as “God” or “Lord.” But in this psalm almost all the remarkable titles of Deity are employed to describe and praise the God of the universe. “Elohim,” v. 2; “Adonai,” v. 12; “Shaddai,” v. 15; “Jehovah,” v. 17; “Jah,” v. 19; “Al,” v. 20. Each name of God paints a different picture of God. Let us learn the names of God sometimes, just saying God does not reveal enough of who He is.
The book of Leviticus is challenging and these first few chapters all full of blood and food being offered as sacrifice. Since it is challenging I went to a commentary to get some insights and I wanted to share those with you here.
The first thing I learned is that the chronological framework from the book of Leviticus, actually only occupies ONE MONTH in the Sinai Desert. So if this book isn’t really a book that relates a story or history as Genesis, Exodus, & Numbers do then why is it here in the Pentateuch? The focus of this the middle book of the five books of Moses (the Pentateuch) “is on the way God’s people are to interact with divine holiness, in worship and other aspects of life.”
And then beginning in chapter one and carrying through all the way through chapter 6 Moses jumps straight into what seems to be the heart of their worship experience, sacrifice!
We see in these six chapters that God is very specific about what true worship is and isn’t and that all the functions of worship are dictated by His inspired Word.
Realizing these truths something struck me as I read.
Moses in this book, that is a book about worship, about how to relate to Holiness in worship and life, the immediate inspiration he received was to write about sacrifice as the first element of worship. In our modern day and age worship is not defined by most of us…let’s be honest when we choose churches to go and worship at, most of us are not asking the question, “what would God like me to sacrifice to Him as a symbol of my love and loyalty?” Most of us are asking, “What can this church do for me?” “Is the music a music I will like?” “Did I think the preacher was funny or interesting?” “Well I don’t really care for the church but the children’s programs are great so I will stick with this church for the sake of my kids, but once they’re older I am moving on.” Wow. It seems almost none of our questions are about sacrifice.
Also, I would say is what is important to us in worship more about what we like or more about what has been dictated to us by God?
Tough questions. If we’re honest maybe questions that would convict us to reexamine why and how we worship.
Next Reading: 1 Kings 10-18 (164-171)
These chapters are rich!
Some thoughts that came to mind in bullet form as I read:
Next Reading: Leviticus 1-3
A few thoughts on this reading, two on evangelism, one on our own personal relationship with Jesus, and one on the Orlando mass shooting.
Two Thoughts on Evangelism:
Thought One…
“When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”6 So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” -Luke 9:1-6
Jesus’ method included addressing physical needs and teaching the message of the Gospel. Not one or the other. Both/And!
I’ve heard it said, “The health message is the right arm of evangelism.”
“The union of Christlike work for the body and Christlike work for the soul is the true interpretation of the gospel.”– Ellen G. White, Evangelism, p. 515
Thought Two…
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.” -Luke 10:1
Of course the next verse is the famous one we often hear…
“He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” -Luke 10:2
Verse two teaches us that we need more workers, but verse one teaches us a lot too!
One Thought on Our Own Personal Relationship with Jesus (obviously there are way more than one in this reading, but one hit me):
“do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” -Luke 10:20
My thought: Don’t rejoice about the powers you have being connected to Jesus, just rejoice that you’re connected to Jesus. I was convicted on this because I think I and probably other preachers rejoice in compliments on sermons or on being known as decent preachers. Jesus would probably say to us, “Good deal, but don’t rejoice over that gift you have from being connected to me. Just rejoice you’re connected to me!”
My Thought on The Orlando Mass Shooting:
“As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.” -Luke 9:51-55
Shame on those who want to declare or define judgment on those they believe have wronged God either through open rejection or through embracing of sin. Jesus rebuked His disciples for using language even that would close the door on this city and this people.
Next Reading: Ephesians 1-3
A statement that I understand more with each passing day and one that I wish I understood more when I was still in their home. Oh even with all their flaws, had I heeded the principles they taught me how much more blessed, less stressed, and without regret my life would have been!
“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction,
and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
9 for they are a graceful garland for your head
and pendants for your neck.” Proverbs 1:8, 9
Thank you Mom and Dad for still being advisors to my life. I think I listen a little better these days.
Next Reading: Jeremiah 47-52
If I were to sum up this book in one sentence,
“Life is miserable when you realize that God was true to His word when He said, ‘If you embrace sin and reject me your life will be miserable.'”
This applies both corporately and personally. As we see in the book of Lamentations Jeremiah applies the punishment of sin both to himself and to the people corporately. In doing this I believe Jeremiah shows great humility, in as much as he was the prophet that was calling the people to repent and because they did not repent they are now suffering. It was less about his personal sin and more about the corporate sin of the people and yet he is so intrinsically tied to them that he joins in their shame, suffering, and sorrow.
In the midst of this mighty lament by the weeping prophet Jeremiah there are some of the most quoted hope passages in all the Bible,
But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.” -Lamentation 3:21-26
To me if folk who recite texts new the context in which they were spoken not only would they bring hope, but they would also bring resolve. These texts are easy to speak in Spiritual peace, but Jeremiah speaks them in the midst of great spiritual sorrow and struggle.
In my darkest spiritual moment have I been able to say and believe with assurance,
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”
Wow! To me this scripture which I know by heart is so much more dramatic when I realize it is the centerpiece of a lament.
Next Reading: Luke 9 & 10
We have numerous and varied needs related to our facilities at the Spencerville Church and sometimes I think, “do we really need to fix this or that?” or “this all seems like it is going to take forever and for what purpose?” I also think, “can we really ask the people again to help us with another project?
But with many of our readings of late I am reminded time and time again how important it is to care for the place where we worship the Lord. Now obviously I understand theologically that our modern churches do not have the same role as the temple that Solomon was building. Yet, it is still a place that is seen by many both within and without of the church as representing God and His people. If this is the case should it not represent our Lord correctly?
I found this quote that was also convicting along with all the scripture I have been reading,
“The Lord instructed Moses, for Israel: ‘Thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.’ This was to be a continual offering, that the house of God might be properly supplied with that which was necessary for His service. His people today are to remember that the house of worship is the Lord’s property and that it is to be scrupulously cared for. But the funds for this work are not to come from the tithe.”
Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church Vol. 9, p. 248
Scrupulously cared for because it is the Lord’s property!
Convicting to me! Makes me wonder about our pealing 1970’s wallpaper 😉
Next Reading: 1 Kings 5-9
I must repent…
I have used a text and today it struck me that I’ve misused a text often in the last several years.
First let me say this I believe women can be ordained as pastors, the priesthood of all believers. And also I just think our way of ordaining is all afoul, you can read my thoughts on that HERE.
In these last several years though I have not only used the reasoning of priesthood of all believers as a reason for my position I have also used this text quite often,
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
Since my mind wasn’t even thinking about women’s ordination as I read these three chapters and all I was doing was focusing on the definite context of Galatians 1-3 when I suddenly read Galatians 3:28 without thinking of it in terms of social or role equality I realized, this text in my understanding of strict contextual exegesis has nothing to do with “male” or “female” roles. It is 100% solely in the context of how a person receives salvation and what Paul is saying is that it doesn’t matter if you’re a slave or a free person, a man or a woman, Jew or Greek, can we add Adventist or Catholic, we all are inheritors of the promise of salvation through the same means, “faith in Jesus.”
This text is not about gender roles or social equality it is about access to salvation. Jesus and Jesus only!
So I repent for misusing the text far too often. I want social equality on this issue, but not at the hands of poor exegesis.
Next Reading: Exodus 33-36
I am going to refer you back to a previous blog posting for this reading since this is the fulfillment of God’s instructions that were given in THIS previous reading.
One note that goes beyond that original post. In chapters 39 & 40 I count 17 times (let me know if I missed any) the phrase or a very similar phrase appears,
“as the Lord had commanded Moses”
Here is the thought that popped into my head and I wrote down.
“Chad how much of your life could it be said this is done, ‘as the Lord had commanded Chad’?
Something to ponder.
Next Reading: 1 Kings 5-9
I LOVED these chapters…I’ve actually been away from home and I left my Bible in my car before I got on the plane like a dummy and so I wasn’t in the Word for two days…maybe a pastor isn’t supposed to admit that, but I will…anyway, I stopped by my parents for a quick visit and so I have a Bible now and man did I miss it, so I’m sure these chapters would be good no matter what, but they fill extra good having not read for a couple days. And yes I know there is a Bible on my phone or computer…but when it comes to the Bible I just struggle reading unless it is the actual pages in hand.
Okay so to our text–
In Luke 5 & 6 there are two mentions of Jesus taking time to pray, one in Luke chapter 5 and one in Luke chapter 6,
“So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.” -Luke 5:16
and
“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” -Luke 6:12
I mention these because in context they show us times we should definitely spend much time in prayer…well the Bible tells us to pray without ceasing, but these are definite times…
Luke 5 = Jesus is doing all kinds of ministry, He is serving everyone. He withdraws to pray for recovery. Even the greatest servants of our God must withdraw to live to serve another day.
Luke 6 = Jesus is about to make a very important decision in His ministry. When faced with a big decision we must spend much time in prayer, otherwise we can’t trust that decision!
Another point I want to mention from these chapters is to address one of my absolute LEAST favorite texts…is someone allowed to have a least favorite text?
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged.” -Luke 6:37a
This is not my lease favorite text because I want to judge everyone. It is my least favorite because it seems to be a favorite “pet” text of so many, and it is a favorite because it is used by preachers and millions of others SO WRONG! If it was understood properly it would not nearly be as popular, but I would like it a lot more 🙂
Here is how most read this…
“Jesus said, ‘Judge not,’ so you can’t say if I should or shouldn’t eat this entire batch of brownies.” (Or put in whatever particular action critique you want to).
That is why this text is popular because it is an immediate in your face text that someone can vomit up the moment his or her actions are criticized, called sin, etc..
But that is not what the text is talking about…
In the full text it reads,
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” -Luke 6:37
All three of those statements are related…
They are all related to “ETERNAL” consequences not ones immediate actions. We can make “judgement” on the actions of another.
How do I know? The very next section of scripture…
“And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite!” -Luke 6:41, 42a
Of course that doesn’t really prove my point, in fact it sounds like it proves the exact opposite…
Oh and by the way this “plank” in the eye text is also a “pet” text of people to say, “don’t judge my actions”
But they need to read the rest of it and we’ll see that the Bible is surely not addressing the outward “actions” of others in verse 37 nor is the plank in the eye, it is not saying never look at the outward actions of another and judge them…
“41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” -Luke 6:41, 42
I highlighted the point often left out so we wouldn’t miss it.
Notice the “First” “Then” transition of the text.
We are to judge our own actions first, this means don’t be in denial of our own issues. Address them so we “CAN SEE CLEARLY” in other words, “JUDGE” the actions of our brothers, not to condemn, remember the text above, “judge not, condemn not” but to help them remove the “speck” so they can grow.
It sounds to me like the Bible is saying I am to judge my own actions and make sure I am walking according to the will of Jesus and then I will be better able to help others reform their actions and walk according to the will of Jesus.
Which in our modern society people would say is being “judgmental” but really it is just being a Christian!
What say you? Do you agree or disagree?
Next Reading: Galatians 1-3 (and I do know I have some past readings to make-up…Don’t judge me 😉 )
One text in this reading struck me,
“Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles (by the way I like the ESV translation of super-apostles, made me think of famous television evangelists). 6 Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.” -2 Corinthians 11:5 & 6
Today for whatever reason this verse struck a nerve…a good nerve…a needed nerve, but still a nerve in me. In ministry there is the temptation to compare ones skills against another, the minister that has never done it…I don’t believe…even the best and most successful do, check out this testimony, this moment with Dwight Nelson and Mark Finley,
So it is a struggle. But verse 6…
“Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.”
Paul tells us what brings ultimate success, i.e. glory to God. It is the message we share. Not being the best skilled. Paul said I am a plain speaker, but I am not inferior because of the message. The message is everything. The message being the Gospel, Good News of Jesus Christ…His life, His death, His resurrection!
Can I apply this to those not in professional ministry. Every person that sits in the pew has the access to the same Holy Spirit, the same Bible that I do or any other preacher does. They can know this same message, each person to the same degree as myself or Dwight Nelson or Mark Finley can understand the Gospel. If you have that knowledge and are willing to share that message you will be successful in your witness to your neighbor, your family member, the stranger you sit next to on the metro. To the thousands you may one day preach in front of. Have that message. Jesus loves you, He died for you, He wants to live through you and make you holy, and He’s coming back for you. That message not the skill changes the world.
Next Reading: Exodus 29-32