It is interesting how the Holy Spirit leads us in directions different than what we expect, especially when we are pliable. As John defines for us in chapter five what a born again believer is, it is only natural for us to define how to get there, and we found our way last evening following the Romans Road. I have always loved this very simple way to explain the path of salvation using these few verses in the book of Romans. From our hopeless ‘sin’ dilemma to the simple proclamation of Jesus as LORD, Romans offers a clear and concise explanation of God’s provision for the lost. And, it is important that we keep in mind our mission as we sojourn through this life on our way to our eternal destination! Let me pose a question: If the house next door was in flames, smoke billowing up into the sky, and there were your neighbors standing in the entry, heading into the house; would you throw them a sandwich? Even if you knew that thew were starving?? Probably not. I know that it is important that we cloth the naked and feed the poor, but never forget that our primary mission is to carry the gospel, the good news that Jesus paid the price and redeemed errant mankind from the penalty of sin, which is an eternity in Hell. Never forget that your neighbors feet are on fire if they are not saved, and our first responsibility to them if we TRULY love them is to share the great news that Jesus loves them and wants to save them. Now, give your neighbor the sandwich.

Wow! What a ‘love trip’ moving through the writings of John the apostle! He is a fantastic writer with it seems one thing on his mind, which is protecting the believer from false prophets and teachings, and helping them to live in the love of God! I can’t stop thinking on the verse in chapter four that says, …”Greater is He that is in YOU, than he that is in the world!” The powerful, indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit live IN US, and satan is no match for He that is in us! That is Almighty God!! If there was ever an affirmation from God’s Word that we should remind ourselves of every morning is this: “He that is in me is greater that he that is in the world!” What power and what authority there is in the indwelling Holy Spirit!

In His Grip,

Brother Jeff

Good Morning All,

As we began 2 Peter yesterday, one of the key concepts we discovered was the spiritual ladder Peter lays out for a successful and abundant life in Christ. He instructs us to add to our faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. I encourage you this week to read through the first chapter again to refresh your memory.

We defined ‘virtue’ as moral strength or vigor, and this week I would like us all to contemplate what it actually means to add virtue to our faith.  What is virtue, and what can we DO to add this spiritual quality to our faith?  Faith was a gift to all of us who trusted Jesus as Lord and Savior, and Peter begins the process with virtue and ends it with agape love!  And isn’t that where we all want to find ourselves, at the pinnacle of spirituality, living in the Love of God?

So again, this week, lets all think about adding virtue to our faith and what that means as we all take this spiritual journey together.

We will discuss this first next Sunday.

In His Grip,

Brother Jeff

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