“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” ~ John 8:31-32

In this verse, notice that Jesus was addressing a group that “believed on Him”. He was not speaking to atheists, agnostics or to the indifferent. He was speaking to a group that believed that He was The Messiah: the Saviour sent from God. Nevertheless, Jesus made it clear that belief alone does not qualify anyone as a disciple. Only those who “continue in my [Jesus’] word” are His disciples.

To “continue” in Jesus’ word means to apply Scripture to our lives. Some had believed on Him and followed Him: Jesus has made an impact on their lives. But that was not enough, if that “belief” in Jesus was real, rather than ephemeral, it must then have a lasting, sustained effect: It must result in the continual daily application His word to a Believer’s life.

To observe the truth of Jesus’ teaching, just look around. There are many who acknowledge that Jesus is the Saviour, who subscribe to all the basic tenets of the Christian faith. However, it stops there and goes no further; it has little discernible impact on their lives.

If all we have is a belief that doesn’t change us, if we fail to continue in Jesus words, then we have nothing. Belief means nothing unless it leads us to transformation. James put it this way:

“What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 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? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone…
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” ~ James 2:14-20

It wasn’t lucifer’s lack of belief that got him thrown out of heaven, it was his unwillingness to conform to the will of God: he wanted to be “free” to go his own way and do his own thing: he wanted to call the shots: lucifer refused to “continue” in God’s Word!

"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him." ~ Psalm 34:8

Believing in Jesus is notthe hard part, that’s not what stops us from truly coming to God. What prevents us from becoming disciples is our unwillingness to apply God’s Word fully and continually to our every aspect of lives. Many of us believe in Jesus, but we want to continue in our own word, we want to do things the way we like it, we want to be “free”, just like lucifer.

However, Jesus turns our notion of freedom upside down. Because, the fruit of continuing in Jesus’ words is freedom. As we conform/submit our lives to the Word of God, we learn the truth.

We learn that happiness does not come by feeding our bodily appetites… and so we no longer have to serve them. We learn that earthly treasure is worthless in the (present and future) Kingdom of God; we learn that God will supply all our needs… so we are free to pursue Spiritual wealth instead: We don’t have to be slaves to the almighty dollar… And so on.

In other words, instead of restricting us, discipleship frees us. The path to the freedom we seek is through Jesus’ words! As we continue in Jesus’ Word we become disciples and as we become disciples we discover freedom through the truth of Jesus’ Word.

Belief is the beginning, freedom is the end and discipleship (continuing in Jesus’ words) is the vehicle that gets us from start to finish.

“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” ~ Micah 6:8

Whenever one might wonder the secret of living righteously–how we should live–this verse gives the answer. It (the last clause of the verse) might be rephrased this way:

1. DO RIGHT.
2. Be patient when others fail to DO RIGHT.
3. Follow the ONLY One who ALWAYS will DO RIGHT.

The verse wisely carries us through a progression that challenges us first to do what is right, to “do justly”. This Scripture outlines for us what God wants us to do, it explains how a righteous man/woman should live.

However, ALL Believers seeking to follow God quickly realize how difficult it is to live in obedience to Him, to His Word. Our inner lusts drive us away from the right course The Holy Spirit shows us in God’s Word. We find life is a constant challenge to subjugate our will to God’s Will. A challenge we often lose. We end up like Paul declaring:

“For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O WRETCHED man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” ~ Romans 7:22-24

Despite sincere (and not-so-sincere) effort we often get it wrong. We know what to do, but somehow we often fail to do it.

The second step of the progression is to recognize that others, our brothers/sisters also go through a similar struggle. Therefore, rather than condemnation, we should readily offer them mercy. Just as we wrestle our own personal set of weaknesses, so do they. If we were to live a day in their shoes would we do any better? Despite our many advantages, we haven’t mastered our own weaknesses and lusts. Why should we expect our brothers/sisters to manage theirs?

Indeed, sometimes our only achievement is to hide our sinful thoughts and deeds better than others do. As Jesus explained,

“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” ~ Matthew 5:27-29

Consequently, a primary hallmark of life of a believer is mercy. We see in the failings of our brothers/sisters our own struggles with sin and mercy comes flooding out of our bowels because if they are condemned then so are we.

“Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” ~ Colossians 3:12

The third and final step in the progression is to walk with the only One who Always Does Right: God. As we recognize our failings, our abject inability to do justly, we are impelled to draw more closely to The Just One. As we recognize our need, and our brother’s/sister’s need for mercy, we MUST draw closer to the source of mercy.

How can I survive on my own?
I can’t make it all alone.
I have tried to do right, but I fail over and over again.
When will I overcome my weakness? When? When!
I look to my brother, and he is struggling too.
Lord, have mercy on me and my brother we NEED You.

Moreover, as Scripture reminds us:

“For the law made nothing perfect [We can't Do Right on our own even when we know what to do], but the bringing in of a better hope [Salvation through Jesus Christ] did; by the which we [Me and my brother] draw nigh unto [Walk with] God.” ~ Hebrews 7:19

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you…” ~ James 4:8a

We KNOW what God wants from us… By His Grace and Mercy let us (my brother and me) draw ever so near to Him so that we can finally do it!

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” ~ Matthew 6:19-21

When thinking about this passage it is easy to apply it to the “haves”, to those who have earthly treasure. Conversely, if we consider ourselves as members of the “have-nots”, it becomes more difficult. If we are struggling financially, it is easy to dismiss this verse as a principle for others to follow: surely Jesus wasn’t talking about us.

However, Jesus wasn’t just speaking to the wealthy. Most of Jesus’ followers were ordinary folk: peasants who struggled to ‘make ends meet’ under the oppressive Roman government, which overtaxed their livelihood (Matthew 17:24-27), and the oppressive religious leaders (the Pharisees), who overtaxed their worship (Matthew 23:1-4). Most of Jesus’ followers didn’t have much earthly wealth to speak of. Why then, did Jesus give them, and us, this instruction?

To answer this question, consider that much of Jesus’ teaching focuses on our attitudes. The famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Matthew 5-7), from which out text is taken, begins with nine ‘beautiful attitudes’ (i.e., beatitudes). Therefore, Jesus was not just talking about how we should treat earthly treasure (money, wealth). Rather, He was more broadly talking about our attitude to earthly treasure (money, wealth). In other words, many of us do not store up money/wealth/treasure ONLY because we don’t have any to store up. But, if we did have money/wealth/treasure to store up, we would!

Jesus, then, is showing us that we need to change our attitude to material wealth, whether or not we have any.

This is a big problem among Believers today. Many of us (author included) become frustrated with our lack of earthly treasure (money, wealth). We wonder why God hasn’t blessed us with the things that “moth” and “rust doth corrupt”. Somehow, we fail to recognize that God has lovingly removed from our lives the temptation to accumulate wealth unto ourselves. Indeed, we fail to see that our very desire for material wealth demonstrates that we are focused on earthly treasure rather than on the “treasures in heaven” that Jesus instructs us to hold dear.

Whether rich, or poor, or somewhere in between, let us heed Jesus’ command: Let us learn to value heavenly treasures (humility, mercy, meekness, purity, etc.—Matthew 5:3-12) over earthly treasures (money, wealth, stuff). Moreover, when heavenly treasures are all we have left, let us recognize God’s merciful hand and REJOICE!

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” ~ Titus 2:11-12

The implications of this verse are truly amazing. It declares that ALL the goodness, ALL the morality that is seen in EVERY man, woman and child ever born and to be born comes from the Grace of God!  Therefore, EVERYONE in the past and in the future (1) has had a personal interaction with God (knows God exists) and (2) is aware of the truth of God (knows God is Righteous). In other words:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” ~ Romans 1:18-21

NOTE: “…so that they are without excuse” (Romans 1:20b). There is no excuse for not knowing God. None!

Therefore, knowledge of God and Godliness is not what the world lacks; rather the world lacks Salvation.  As our text shows, the Grace that brings salvation is the same Grace the imbued knowledge.  Knowledge is given, but salvation is offered.

To understand this, consider Cornelius who is described as a God-fearing man who knew nothing of salvation in Jesus (Acts 10:1-8). Therefore, God sent Peter (Acts 10:9-48) to tell Cornelius the Good News of redemption through Jesus Christ. Despite living in a largely pagan society, Cornelius responded positively to the Grace of God working within him, making him aware of God and God’s cal to righteousness. Cornelius accepted the truth revealed by God’s grace and sought to worship God, and God led him into salvation.

Therefore, mankind’s problem isn’t fundamentally one of knowledge.  For, as our text points out, God has already revealed Himself to each of us. Rather the issue that besets the world is one of will. We know God exists, we know what is right. But will we seek God? Will we humbly accept His Way and His Salvation?

Consequently, (with due respect to Christian apologists) the evangelical work of the Church is not proving the existence of God. Rather the evangelical work of the Church is revealing the saving work of Jesus Christ by both word and deed (Matthew 26:18-20, Matthew 5:16). The Light that is Jesus must shine through Believers.  So that those who are willing to surrender their will to God’s Will, can find The Way to Salvation (John 14:6), just like Cornelius: No excuses!

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” ~ John 8:12

This is a popular passage of Scripture with far-reaching implications for Believers. Firstly, and perhaps most plainly, Jesus outlines for Believers how to avoid stumbling: follow Christ. This point is not as facile as it seems, because the ongoing, persistent , unrelenting clamor baying at every Christian is to follow the principles of the world around us.

For example, we are constantly being told to get physical exercise and eat healthily: but God’s word tells us that bodily exercise profits little; instead our focus must be on Spiritual exercise and ‘eating’ the Word of God. And hour in God’s Word has far more benefit than an hour in the gym. Moreover, the more we grow spiritually, the less prone we are to give into the desires of the flesh, including overeating.

Another example, the world tells us to “take care of number one”, but God tells us to put ourselves LAST and take care of others first. Therefore as we follow the worlds edicts we stumble around in the traps hidden therein. The world says, divorce if you are unhappy with your spouse, God’s word tells us not to separate what God has joined together. How many homes have been wrecked by focus on self-fulfillment? How many marriages could have been saved by focus on God-fulfillment instead?

We stumble around, falling into trap after trap, pothole after pothole, ditch after ditch, because we fail to follow Christ, we fail to walk in The Light. To avoid the innumerable pitfalls of life we must constantly reject the principles of the world. Rather, we must learn, inculcate and follow earnestly the principle of Jesus Christ as presented in the Bible, the Word of God.

A second, related, implication of the text is that those who walk in darkness, because they have no direct access to the light (i.e., those who reject or do not know Christ), MUST stumble; they have no choice. Therefore, Believers should EXPECT the world around us to ‘decay’. Individuals, groups, and governments of ALL ‘stripes’ will ALL tend to make foolish choices because they are walking in darkness with no direct access to the light of Jesus Christ.

"O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD." ~ Isaiah 2:5

This is a crucial point for Believers, because we often get caught up in an ‘expectation game’. For example, we follow political leaders/movements hoping for a change or some improvement. But we are frequently disappointed (or at a minimum ‘under-whelmed’) by their failure to effect the transformations we had hoped for. Instead they often make decisions that patently unwise: the y often stumble around because they are not walking in the light!

Similarly, we sometimes get into ill-advised relationships with non-believers only to be left disappointed, broken-hearted and/or bankrupted by their repeated stumbles. Believers must never expect those who don’t believe to do anything else but stumble around in error, repeatedly making bad choices, because they are NOT walking in The Light, they are not following Jesus Christ.

Finally, every Believer must consider his/her role in the world. Jesus is The Light, and we have The Light inside us. It is God’s plan for The Light that is Jesus to shine through us into the dark world in which we live (Matthew 5:16). It is critical, therefore, for every Believer to recognize him/herself as a “Light bringer” (i.e., a lamp). In every situation that we find ourselves, it is our calling to “bring the Light”.

A Believer in a boardroom must bring The Light of Jesus Christ to the decisions being made by that board. A Believer teaching in a classroom must bring more that merely the curriculum: by word and deed that Believer must bring the Light of Jesus Christ to the students. Wherever we are and whatever we are doing, Believers must bring The Light to help those with no direct access to The Light avoid stumbling.

"For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light" ~ Ephesians 5:8

Believers must show those walking in darkness that there is a better way. Consequently, it is folly for Believers to only have Christian friends; Jesus was the friend of the publicans and sinners. It is folly for Believers to spend most of their time only with other Believers; Jesus spent most of His ministry reaching out to those who would later reject Him.

Believers must choose to go where the darkness is darkest, because that is where the light is needed the most! Conversely, when Believers do assemble in church (as we should), our church services should be a meeting of floodlights on full power. So that every sin, every sinful way, is revealed.

Ananias and Sapphira could not hide their sins because the light of the church was too bright! It is folly for our churches to be places where wolves can hide in the shadows waiting to raven the sheep. If believers bring The Light of Christ with them there will be NO shadows in our churches; and sin will have to place to hide.

Brothers, Sisters, let us walk in the Light of Christ, rejecting the darkness offered by the world. Instead let us shine The Light everywhere it is needed and into the life of everyone who needs it. Amen!

“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.” ~ Colossians 3:16

This verse eloquently describes the main purpose of the Church, which is to foster Spiritual Growth.

FIRST, our text identifies the source of Spiritual Growth: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”. We can only grow as individuals (and as a Church body) as the word of Christ (God’s Word, The Holy Scripture) inhabits our thoughts, shapes our perspective, informs our decisions, focuses our minds, opens our understanding and quietens our hearts. The very genesis of our growth is the Word of Christ which the Holy Spirit reveals to us.

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” ~ John 15:26

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17

“…desire the sincere milk of the word, that yes may grow thereby” ~ 1 Peter 2:2

SECOND, our text tells us to share the word of Christ with our brethren so that we can spur growth in each other. This is quite a captivating concept given the current culture of the contemporary church.

Many of us focus on what we can get out of church. We choose the church we attend primarily because of how it suits us, how it meets our needs. However, our text places an entirely different emphasis. While it implies the mutual benefit of the individuals, our verse emphasizes our responsibility to be a benefit to others. So, instead of coming to the picnic empty handed, waiting for the church leader(s) to supply the meal, we are each charged with the responsibility of bringing a basket. This approach, has the potential to radically transform our churches.

Can you imagine how rich and beautiful and exciting church/Bible study/etc. would be if each person attending was a conduit, a channel of God’s Word? Therefore, we should attend Church, not (only) for what we can gain, but for what God wants to give through us. We go to church not just to be built up, we go to church as builders, helping to build others.

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..." ~ 2 Peter 3:18a

“Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also yes do.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” ~ Hebrews 3:13

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as yes see the day approaching.” ~ Hebrews 10:24-25

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” ~ Jude 1:20

“I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” ~ Psalm 16:8-9

To live in this fallen world is to live in unrest. We are constantly bombarded by distractions and temptations that draw us to focus on ourselves and our immediate needs. Temptation too is a restlessness; a furtive burning that needles at you mercilessly. In the midst of the struggle, it is easy to succumb to the lie, “I will have no peace until I give in to this sin.” The choice is made, the relief immediate – but in the release there is an increase in uneasiness as your heart spins that much further out of line of God’s perfect way. The act of sin feeds the need to sin in an endless cycle, until suddenly you find yourself lost on a stormy sea, crying out for help (Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25; Matthew 8:23-27).

The beauty of our God is that He always hears us and always responds. He never holds us at arm’s distance and says, “You got yourself into this mess, you get yourself out.” He knows our frame, that we are dust (Psalm 103:14); He always responds with mercy and love to a heart that cries out in need to the Saviour. He greatly desires that we would stay on His perfect path so that we don’t find ourselves in needless trouble; but He knows too that we are fallible and fallen creatures, and will not leave His children to suffer the fate of destruction to which we were born.

“I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” ~ Psalm 37:25

"Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy" ~ Psalm 33:18

To help us stay on the road of righteousness, God not only promises us a way out of every temptation (I Corinthians 10:13), He also offers us rest. Not just for our souls, and not someday in the future – but now and for our very flesh, even that part of us that constantly fights Him: “My flesh also shall rest in hope.” This is a great truth in our lives, because there is so little in this world that offers rest. All of this world rushes on and on, never pausing, never relaxing for a moment, and we are too often swept up in the pace. It is the “rest” of sin that is so fleeting and unsatisfactory; the “rest” of a creation separated from its Creator. We cannot have rest or peace or victory over sin unless our eyes are firmly focused on the Saviour.

“And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace” ~ Helen Lemmel, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

Peace is never found in sin. But peace is found in the hope of salvation, in Jesus Christ Himself, Who offers us rest for both body and soul – even when our actions remind us that we are undeserving of such wondrous love. Let us not fall under the influence of the Accuser (satan), who throws our failures in our faces to shame us away from the Saviour. God’s grace and patience towards us is a great and awesome mystery; let us have faith in His promises and call the devil the Liar that he is.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” ~ James 1:12

By Joelle Heilemann

⁸And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
¹⁰And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. ¹¹For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
¹⁵And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. ¹⁶And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. ¹⁸And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
²⁰And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them. ~ Luke 2:8-11, 15-18, 20

Jesus birth was announced by angels which is quite suitable for the Son of God, the Messiah, the Saviour of the world. However, it seems strange that this momentous proclamation was not made before an audience of Kings, or Leaders, or Priests, or Nobles, but to an audience of lowly shepherds. Shepherds!!!!
The significance of this point often escapes modern readers because we are not aware of the lowly social status of shepherds in Jesus’ day:

“The Mishnah, Judaism’s written record of the oral law… describes [shepherds] as “incompetent”… says no one should ever feel obligated to rescue a shepherd who has fallen into a pit… Jeremias documents the fact that shepherds were deprived of all civil rights. They could not fulfill judicial offices or be admitted in court as witnesses.” ~ Eternal Perspective Ministries

“Shepherds of Jesus time were considered, by the general populace, generally untrustworthy… Even worse, their work made them ceremonially unclean… because they had daily contact with carcasses of animals and came into contact… with all sorts of unclean animals… So, surprisingly, when the angelic announcement arrives, it comes first to the social outcasts of Jesus’ day.” ~ Holy Ordinary

Accordingly, there are a few lessons we can learn from God’s choice of the shepherds.

First, by announcing Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, God established that there was no one too lowly to receive God’s salvation. God reached out to the absolute rejects of society first in order to demonstrate that no one would be excluded. Therefore, your/my status in society doesn’t matter: God loves us all and wants to save each and every one of us.

Second, it harmonizes with Jesus’ ministry: The Son of God emptied himself of Glory to come to earth as a human babe born in the lowliest of circumstances: in a manger for cattle. And so the God of Heaven announced the birth of His Son to cattle-minders: shepherds.

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" ~ John 10:27

Third, it is arguable that Jesus’ principal ministry would be as a shepherd: The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-30) who came in search of the lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7). Hence the angels told the message first to those who would identify most closely with His purpose: the shepherds.

Especially useful, however, is the application to our lives. God sent His message to the humblest. The shepherds were humbled by their low social standing; they had no place (no status) and very little value to their society. Similarly, God’s message only comes to those humble enough to hear it. When we become unconcerned about our social standing and self-importance is when we can hear God most clearly. And sometimes (most times?) God has to humble us so that we can hear Him.

Moses started out thinking he knew how to rescue his people from Egyptian oppression, but he failed at the very start and had to run for his life (Exodus 2:11-25). God then humbled Moses for 40-years in his sojourn in the outback of Midian. Only then was Moses in a position to hear from God (Exodus 3-4).

Similarly, God allowed satan to strip away all Job held dear and the once wealthy and successful man among men was left to scratch his sores in a garbage dump (Job 1-2). Only then was Job in a position to hear from God (Job 40-42).

Perhaps God has humbled you lately. Perhaps you have lost your job, or lost your house, or lost your health, or lost your savings or some combination of the above. While this can be quite painful, difficult and bewildering, perhaps God is preparing to speak a message to you that you are just now prepared to hear.

If so, then let us receive that message with joy like the shepherds did. God’s message did not change their social standing, they remained the social rejects they were before. But the message did change their hearts. Before, they were just outcasts on a hillside, but after hearing from God they returned to the hillside as the FIRST missionaries of the Gospel (vs. 17-18) and as worshippers like never before (vs. 20).

The message from God, heard ONLY in their humiliation, transformed them forever.

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." ~ Ephesians 4:22-24

Search me, know me;
stay away.
I want love and salvation,
but I want it my way.

I adore you; I defy you;
I need your grace.
I am broken; I’m unworthy;
I am on my face.

You are holy, you are perfect
you scare me sometimes.
You’re the only One I want here,
but then I run and hide.

You so love me; you revive me;
you give me your strength.
You correct me; you forgive me;
you remove my shame.

I am trying; I’m improving,
though still I fall.
Always watching, always hoping,
to survive it all.

Knowing someday, when You’re ready,
I will rise on wings
To your home Lord, to your arms Lord,
where the angels sing.

Then all the struggle, all the failure,
will count as naught.
I will see me as You’ve seen me:
a child of your heart.

No more tears there, only laughing
as I praise your name.
Free to serve you and adore you
all those endless days.

by Joelle Heilemann

“I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge” ~ 1 Corinthians 1:4-5

A very wise man once said, “Unless you can improve the silence, don’t speak.” People have made a fine art of small talk that merely fills air space. We have forgotten the art of intelligent conversation and the imparting of substance such as the wisdom of God.

Sitcoms have primed us for one guy giving a straight line and the other delivering something witty or sarcastic–all for a laugh. Perhaps you have noticed that while life has its humorous moments it is no laughing matter. How we invest our time and the grace of speech as we converse with others can mean the difference between life and death, literally.

Simply speaking and having something worthwhile to say are two very different things. One can be a colossal waste of time: noise pollution. The other can be life enhancing, even life changing.

When you deliver the message of salvation to someone who is lost it can be the life line for which they have been searching. Those whose lives have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ have the power of the Holy Spirit to offer that life to others.

Think about it! It is only by the grace of God that we are endowed with such power. The Holy Spirit was sent to lead us into all Truth. While Jesus walked the earth He said, “I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life.” (John 14:6)

Therefore, when the Holy Spirit teaches us Truth it is in greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, our Messiah. We are enriched by reading the Word of God because in it we know Him Who was sent by the Father to redeem our lives from a banal existence and eternal punishment. When the Word dwells within our hearts richly (in abundance) it affects our speech. For, from the abundant overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” ~ Luke 6:45

When we speak, we will have words of life; we will enrich those around us who have ears to hear.

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” ~ John 6:63

Today is a gift from the hand of God. What we do and say in it is our gift back to Him. Be enriched in the knowledge of Him and speak your faith to those who will listen. Redeem the time because the clock is ticking. Speak only if you can improve the silence.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace in sending Jesus Christ to save us from sin. Thank You, also, for the Holy Spirit Who leads us into all Truth. Your Word is an ever-unfolding treasury of wisdom. Help our hearts receive the fullness of its knowledge that we may speak forth always with grace and impart to others the greatness of our God. To You alone be the glory by Christ Jesus Whose words are Spirit and Life. Amen!

Contributed by Cindy Stelter Tesar