Persevering in Prayer

Let us not lose heart in doing good,

for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Galatians 6:9

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

II Thessalonians 3:13

These verses came to mind this morning as I saw a lady, for which the salvation of her and her family, I have been praying for almost two years; and it brought to mind the other people and families whose salvation I regularly lift up to the Lord. I started thinking about the mystery of prayer, especially the prayer for salvation of those for whom we feel burdened to pray. Some are saved, others not yet; and yet in the midst of praying for the salvation of some, we see others for whom we have not prayed come to saving faith. A great mystery, yes, and sometimes a great frustration. We know that it is not up to the person who wills or who runs, but up to God to show mercy; and that the wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from  and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. God saves whom He chooses, and chooses whom He saves. 

Additionally, we know that all things are from Him, through Him, and to Him; and surely prayer is one of the all things. Will those whom we have been touched with the burden to pray for ever be saved? If not, why pray, why the burden? But then, we don't know if and when they will be saved. But since all things are from Him, through Him, and to Him, we know that somehow there is a purpose and usefulness to our prayers, even if those whom we are burdened to pray for are never saved. 

These two verses are a great encouragement when we are faced with great frustration in continuing on with an activity that God has called us to. Prayer in general, and praying for the lost specifically, are certainly those types of activities. So let us be encouraged to keep engaging in doing good, for those whom we are burdened for their salvation. Let us not grow weary in doing good for them, in taking them before the throne of God; for in due time, His time, we will reap (accomplish His work) if we do not grow weary. 

Gospel Effect

A good word from Scotty Smith on the effect of the Gospel in one's life.

www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/genuine-life/

The Graciousness of Grace

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him,

he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

The graciousness of grace...always sufficient, incredibly magnificent, totally beneficent. It enables us to be more than we are in ourselves by being all that we are in Him.  It enables us to be more like Him, for apart from Him we cannot be like Him.

A Day of Love

Valentines Day is a coming.  What are you going to do to show your spouse, your significant other, your love for them?  What will be the token of your love?  Will it be jewelry, candy, flowers, a quiet dinner out, or some personal item?  Of course it will have to include the appropriate card.  But is any gift, token, or event really adequate to express love?

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propiation for our sins.  (I John 4:10) Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:3) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

How has God expressed His love for us?  By giving us His Son, His beloved Son, as the sacrifice for our sins.  How has Christ expressed His love for us?  By the offering and sacrifice of Himself to God for our sins. 

Wives be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.  But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.  (Ephesians 5:22,24)  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.  (Ephesians 5:25)

The context of this section of Scripture is walking in love as Paul is following up the command and example in Ephesians 5:1-2 with how walking in love looks in a Christian's life.  So the question is, "What are we sacrificing, what are we giving up of ourselves, for our spouses?"  Wives love their husbands by taking the initiative in submitting to them.  Husbands love their wives by giving up themselves for them (notice the phrase gave Himself up in vs 5:25 is the same as in vs 5:2) It is in the sacrifice of ourselves that love is most profoundly and most vividly expressed. And the good thing about this is we can do it every day without waiting for an appointed time.  And just as Christ's sacrifice was a fragrant aroma, so our sacrifice of ourselves becomes a fragrant aroma, not only to our Lord, but also to our spouse.  If we make this the habit of our life (walking in love), then we will create an aroma of love that will pervade our homes and our relationship with our spouse.  It will be a potpourri in our relationship that will never have to be replenished, and others will be able to smell its bouquet.

How do we do this?  Glad you asked.  We most effectively do this by being patient, kind, not being jealous, not bragging or being arrogant, not acting unbecomingly, not seeking our own (not being selfish or self-seeking), not being provoked, not taking into account a wrong suffered, not rejoicing in unrighteousness, but rejoicing with the truth; by bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things. (I Corinthians 13:4-7)  Notice the giving of self, the self-sacrifice, that is involved in living out (walking in) love.  This is the best way to love your spouse; and when we walk in love, then every day is a day of love, and Valentines Day becomes the cherry on top.

Casting a Vision? It Must Be Christ!

 Romans 8:29

For those he foreknew, He also predestined

to become conformed to the image of His Son...

Colossians 1:28

We proclaim Him, admonishing every man

and teaching every man with all wisdom,

so that we may present every man

complete in Christ.

Philippians 1:6

For I am confident of this very thing,

that He who began a good work in you

will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Our destiny, if you will, is that we have been foreordained and appointed to be like Christ. This is God's plan for all of those that He has called and drawn unto Himself. It is the ultimate outcome of our salvation. I John 3:2 tells us that when He appears and we see Him, we shall be just like Him. How this happens is explained in I Corinthians 15:20-57. God is going to make us like His Son, and that process started the minute, no the second, we were saved. What a marvelous gift from God!

But there is a process to go through. for even though we are changed in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet, we still have to go through that sanctifying process in this world during our lifetime. This is where the role of the pastor-teacher comes in. This is what Paul was referring to in  Colossians 1:28 above. He understood his role in preparing people for eternity, by preparing people to be presented complete in Christ. This is also a function of the church in concert as the apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teacher fulfill their ministries in equipping the church to do the work of service that builds up the body of Christ to a mature man, to the fullness of the stature of Christ.

God's vision for us from eternity past is for us is to be like His Son, the first born of many brethren.  So as pastors and teachers should that not be our vision as well. Are we casting a compelling vision of Christ before our people so they will aspire to be like Him? Do we present an all encompassing picture of Christ to our people as our ultimate example of what God expects us to be? Do we model Christ in our own lives? Is Christ our example to the extent that we are an example of Him to our people? Do they understand that this is where God is taking them through the sanctification process, and the ultimate to their question, "Why?"

This vision of Christ that we present to our people is to be all encompassing, affecting every area of our lives, so that, in becoming complete in Christ, what is true about Him becomes true about us.

The Victory of Redemption

Redemption from sin cannot be adequately conceived or formulated except as it comprehends the victory which Christ secured once for all over him who is the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.  We must view sin and evil in its larger proportions as a kingdom that embraces the subtlety, craft, ingenuity, power, and unremitting activity of Satan and his legions--"the principalities, and the powers, the world-rulers of this darkness, the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenlies" (Eph 6:12).  And it is impossible to speak in terms of redemption from the power of sin except as there comes within the range of this redemptive accomplishment the destruction of the power of darkness.  It is thus that we may entertain a more intelligent understanding of what Christ encountered when He said, "This is your hour and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:53), and of what the Lord of glory wrought when He cast out the prince of this world (John 12:31).

John Murray

Redemption Accomplished and Applied

Page 50

Love and Unity

Biblical love is far deeper than a love dependent merely on feelings and emotions.  Rather, it is a love that stems from the very soul and character of the individual.  It comes from the person's decision to love, not from his feelings.  In fact, many times the decision to love will run contrary to the feelings one possesses.  Biblical love  is the love of God that has been poured out into the heart, and then given from that heart to others.

This kind of love is the basis of unity as true unity does not come from a denial of differences, but from a forebearing with one another in spite of the differences.  It is the love that gives, that covers, that bears, that endures, that believes.  This is the love that overwhelmingly conquers.  This love then enables us to be united one with another, not due to a common cause, but because of a common love.

Ephesians 4:1-3

Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk

in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

with all humility and gentleness, showing forebearance to one another

in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Prayer for Today

Lord, You know we love you, and You know the extent of our love for You.  You know how strong our faith is, and You know where the holes in our faith are, the areas of our faith that are incomplete.

We know we can trust You in filling up the holes in our faith, to make us complete and competent to stand before You on that day.  We know we can trust You to enlarge our heart and cause us to excel still more in love, Your love which You have poured out in our heart.

To You who can do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, to You be the glory, honor, and power this day.

Amen.

Thanksgiving Every Day

Every day is a day to be thankful.  Every prayer is an opportunity to thank the Lord for who He is and all that He has done.  Thank Him today for His goodness.  Look around you, at your life, and take notice of His bountiful goodness to you.  He is good and he does good.  He withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly.  He is good even to unkind and ungrateful men.  Every good thing given comes from Him. 

When we think of good, the Lord should be the first we think about.  Don't fall into the trap of taking your life and the goodness intrinisic in it for granted.  Look at it with eyes of faith, the eyes of a grateful heart.  Look intentionally for all the goodness He has done for you; and then Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.  Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good;  His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:4-5

God of the Possible and Impossible

...with God all things are possible.  Matthew 19:26

For nothing will be impossible with God.  Luke 1:37

With Him all things are possible, and with Him nothing is impossible.  Pretty much sums it up, doesn't it?   In these two verses God has covered the fact that He can do anything and everything, and there is nothing He can't do.  The thing is, do we really believe it?  Is our faith too short when God hasn't answered our prayer or a situation is taking longer than we think it should to play out or resolve itself.  Because if the verses above are true, and they are, then the issue is our faith in God, and not God's ability. So, instead of throwing rocks at God, maybe the rock needs to be self-directed.

The Bible is filled with examples of God's ability, God's power.  In fact, we are told that no purpose of His can be thwarted (Job 42:2).  So why do we tend to sell Him short and have our faith fall short?  Let's give consideration to a few reasons.

1. God's timetable does not meet our own, and we have to wait longer, sometimes much longer than we think we should.

2. The situation is not resolving like we want it, or our expectations are not being met.

3. We have presupposed that our will or desire is His will.

4. We have confused our will or desire as His will. 

5. We try to impose our will on the situation.

6. We bow to the pressure of others or the situation.

7. We forget that God uses times like these to test our faith.

8. We forget that God uses times like these to strengthen our faith.

9. We forget that with God there is never a plan B, but it always has been and always will be plan A. In other words, God never has a contingency plan, because He never needs one.

10. We forget that God works at the speed of life, and at the pace of people, yet He is never slow.

11. We forget the real issue is never with Him, but always with us, as these situations usually highlight.

12. We really don't believe that God is who He claims to be, and can do what He has said He can do.

13. We don't want to deal with our sin that stands in the way.

I am certain this list is not exhaustive, but this is enough for us to think about.  How about you, my friend, did you find yourself on this list?  The real issue facing us in believing God, is surrendering our will to His.  So many times the issue in trusting God is trusting Him with the outcome, even if it is not what we want.  Let us bow our hearts in submission to His will and trust Him to do the impossible, for all things are possible with Him.

Vision Casting, God's Way

Vision-casting is a term that has been in vogue in much of churchdom over the last few years. In fact, if you read many blogs or articles, you get the sense that any pastor that is worth his salt now days has this at the top of his priority list; and that it is a must if you are being the kind of pastor you should be.

In a recent paper by Tim Keller on how size affects church behavior, he posited that once a church gets to a certain size then the pastor should have staff in place so that he can spend his time vision-casting. Another popular blog that I check on from time to time recently posted a list they had run across of the top 10 attributes needed in a church planter, and number one was....vision...you must have it and be able to sell it. Two years ago I watched a video of a church service from a up and coming SBC church in South Carolina and whole service was about this vision that God was birthing in the pastor for the new and improved direction for the church. What was he doing? He was selling his vision to the church. I listened to a staff member of another church talk about what his responsibilities were, and how his performing his duties were enabling the lead pastor to spend more time vision-casting, as this was so important for this pastor to be doing. I use these examples to show how vision-casting is ubiquitous in the church and no section is immune to it.

What is vision-casting you might ask? Boiled down to its essence, it is nothing more than strategic planning. It is a business model and practice that has been co opted by the church and made to sound like it is indispensable for building and pastoring a church. Now don't get me wrong, some planning and thinking through critical issues regarding his church is needed by every pastor; but it is not the most important thing he does, and I don't believe it is even near the top of the list.

As pastors, if we truly need to have a vision for our church, would it not seem logical, even important, to see if the Bible gives us information or instruction as to what God's vision for the church is, so that we can then implement that vision. Knowing, after all, that it is His church, not ours, so any vision we have for the church must be in keeping with His vision.

In looking into the Scriptures for what the Lord's vision is for His body, what we find is His vision for the body is intrinsically tied to His vision for each individual believer, as He wants the same for each and every one of us. What is God's vision for each one of His children? It is Christ! Romans 8:29 tells us "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren." This is God's vision for each believer, to become like His Son. Let's look at Ephesians 4:13 and 15 to see what His vision is for the individuals who make up the church, "until we all attain to ...the knowledge of the Son of God to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. ...we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ."

Christ likeness is the vision that God has for all of us who are His beloved children, and He will accomplish that in our lives. Philippians 1:6 says this, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." And I John 3:2 gives us this promise, "Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."

What is the means through which God will accomplish His vision for us while we are here in this world? It is the teaching and preaching of His word. And reading through Ephesians 4:11-16 you see that God has given pastors and teachers as the main means to carry out His vision of Christ likeness. Let's look at some verses that show us what Paul, the ultimate pastor, has to say about his responsibility in the carrying out of this vision. I Timothy 1:6 he says this, "The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." In Galatians 5:19 he puts it this way, "My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you." Finally, look at his God given vision for each person in Colossians 1:28-29 "We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works in me." Notice how the phrase every man is used three times here in admonishing every man, teaching every man, so that we can present every man. And what is the purpose for which Paul labors and strives in this admonishing, teaching, and presenting every man? It is so that every man may be presented complete in Christ, fully Christlike, lacking in none of the attributes of Christ. In other words, Christ fully formed in them and them fully conformed to the image of Christ. Did Paul tell Timothy to be spending his time vision-casting? No, he told him to study to show himself approved, to preach the word in season and out, to guard the treasure entrusted to him, and to entrust it to faithful men who would do the same. It is the word of God that God uses to conform us to Christ. In fact, it is the the word put to music in Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs by which we are to teach and admonish one another.

My fellow pastors and teachers, is Christ likeness your vision for your church, for each and every member of your church, each and every person that the Lord has allotted to your watch care? When you spend your time vision-casting, is this vision of Christ in each of your people the vision that comes to your mind? If not, may I dare suggest that your vision is not God's vision. If you are spending time envisioning and planning for anything else other than this then you are wasting your time; and it is time that cannot be redeemed and effort that will be wood, hay, and stubble before the judgement seat of Christ. You will have labored in vain, you will have envisioned in vain if this is not your vision for your church.

In envisioning and planning, everything that the church does should be subservient to and facilitate reproducing Christ in each and every soul brought under and assigned to its care. In Matthew 28:19 Jesus commissioned the church to make disciples, not build ministries. Pastoral vision casting should be concerned with accomplishing God's vision as He has laid it out in Scripture, not coming up with unique and clever concepts to build ministries or attract crowds. As pastors, God's vision should be our vision. We are not allowed to have our own vision for the church, or to make the church according to our vision. If you will make God's vision your vision you can trust Him to build His church, and you will have built for eternity and upon His word, which is the only sure and lasting foundation.

See also: A Vision of Christ
http://morris-pressingon.blogspot.com/2010/01/romans-829-for-those-he-foreknew-he.html

Trust and Obey

...the consequences of faithfulness

are for God to determine,

not for us to anticipate.

Ian Hamilton

Banner of Truth

October 2009

Page 18

The Ground of Our Reconciliation

Propitiation is the ground from which reconciliation occurs.

Reconciliation can not take place until the wrath of God

is satisfied and removed.

In Christ our reconciliation takes place,

because on Christ the wrath of God stored up for us,

was removed from us, poured out upon Christ,

and God's wrath was satisfied once for all at the cross.

Affliction

Affliction. The very word conjurs up unpleasant images, such as pain, misery, and oppression, No one really likes that word, especially when it relates to themselves. Yet, most of us have been the objects of affliction, have gone through times of affliction, or will soon be afflicted. As Christians, how should we view affliction?


As always the key is in the Scriptures. First, we need to start with the knowledge that affliciton is not random. Psalm 103:19 tells us that the Lord's sovereignty rules over all; and Romans 11:36 tells us that all things are from Him, through Him, and to Him. So we see that there is not situation that the Lord is not sovereign over, and does not pass through His counsel. A few years ago, Pastor James Boice of the historic Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, was diagnosed with liver cancer already in an advanced stage. In his last address to his beloved congregation he said, "I know that many of you are praying for my healing, and I appreciate that, but let us remember that the same God we are praying to for my healing could have kept me from getting cancer." Dr. Boice understood the sovereignty, the Divine providence of God in the affliciton that had come upon him.


Secondly, since affliction is not random, and is under the aegis of God, it should not surprise us when it happens. I Peter 4:12 tells us to not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon us, as though some strange thing is happening to us. James 1:2 tells us that trials will come upon us; and I Peter 1:6 tells us that trials are necessary. So to think that our life will not have times of afflicition and suffering is not reality. The direction or source of the afflicition may be a shock or a surprise, but not the affliction itself. There is a well known pastor who many years ago was in a staff meeting and was in the middle of telling his staff how thankful he was for them, and how much he appreciated their friendship when one of them replied, "If you think we are your friends, you've got another think coming," and the entire staff resigned and left, as that staff member had secretly engineered a revolt against him. Needless to say, he was devastated; and at his church that day is referred to as Black Tuesday.


Thirdly, since affliction is not random, and is under the aegis of God, it must, it does have a purpose. Affliction is purposeful, it is useful, both to God and for us. I Peter 1 and 4 tell us that trials prove out the genuineness and the quality of our faith. James 1 tells us that affliction produces endurance, and that endurance makes us more mature and complete in our faith. Afflicition does not come upon us because of the whimsy of God, or because God is being capricious. It always has a higher aim, an eternal benefit. God's dealings with us are not just for the here and now, but also for the hereafter, as He has our eternal good constantly in His mind. To paraphrase I Peter 1:6-7, at the revelation of Christ we will not stand before Him empty handed wondering if we will be accepted, but will have a faith in hand that has been put to the test and found to be the real thing. This proven faith will then be the source of our praise, honor, and glory. Afflicition is the red badge of our faith. Also, Psalm 119:75 says, "I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me." Affliction from God always has a purpose, a good purpose, and it is because of God's faithfulness that He brings it about.


Fourthly, there are some present benefits to affliction, as well. Psalm 119:67 says, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word." Affliction brings us back in line with the word of God. So we need to examine ourselves in light of our affliction to see where we might have gone astray. Psalm 119:71 tells us, "It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes." Through affliction God teaches us His word, and we see so many times that in the midst of affliction God's word comes to us to teach us, to comfort us, to direct us, to sustain us. It could be something new and unlearned from His word, or it might be something we already know that comes to us; but in and through affliction His word becomes part of us, a part of the fabric of who we are.


Finally, note that in verse 71 the Psalmist says it is good for us to be afflicted. We know that God's purposes are good, but we also get some insight into why affliction is good from the word itself. This Hebrew word for affliction, along with a few of its close cousins, means to find oneself in a stunted, lowly, humble position, or to be brought low. Why is it good for us to be in this lowly humble position? Because that is when we are most receptive to the Lord, and when we walk the closest with Him. It is when we are humble that His grace is most available. It is when we are humble that we see our need and His supply. It is when we are humble that we are the most cognizant of our sin, and the most repentant. It is when we are humble that we are also the most dependent and the less self-sufficient. It has been said that if dependence is your goal, then weakness is an advantage.


The two examples I used above were both pastors, and that is intentional. Pastors are afflicted, and it is good for them to be afflicted, just like everyone else. In fact, it may be more needful for us to be afflicted. If you have read about life of Calvin, who many consider the greatest theologian/pastor of the church, you read of a life of almost constant affliction, but also a life greatly used of God. The genesis for this post comes from what I have been thinking about over the last several days. As you may know, I am bi-vocational and last week was a difficult week workwise, plus my son made a trip to the Urgent Care center to have stitches in his chin. Then on Sunday morning while preparing the location where we have church, I stepped off of the stage while looking another direction, tore ligaments in my ankle, and had to be taken to the emergency room. During the incident and since then, the word of God has come to my mind...it is good for me to be afflicted, in faithfulness God has afflicted me, don't be surprised at the ordeal, consider it all joy that you are being matured and completed, trials are necessary, trust in the Lord God with all your heart and don't lean on your own understanding, God is able to work all things together for good for those who love Him, His power is perfected in weakness; and another from Psalm 119:65 "You have dealt well with Your servant according to Your word.

The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune may appear random, and even unfair, to the world; but for us as children of the living God, we can rest assured that they have passed through the counsel of God for our ultimate good and His ultimate glory. So, my friends, let us give thanks unto the Lord when affliction comes our way, because it is indeed good for us to be afflicted.

Thought for the Day

Knowledge and practice are the hand-maidens

that accompany spiritual growth.

Both are necessary in keeping spiritual growth

on the right path.

Thought for the Day

For the Christian,

Death is the door

That opens into

The arms of Christ.

Thought for the Day

We must understand the love of God

against the backdrop of the sin of man,

and, personally, our own sin.

It is only then that we can most fully understand

and most greatly appreciate

how truly marvelous, extravagant, and abundant

His love for us is.

Thought for the Day

The more we are like Christ,

the more we glorify Him.

Thought for the Day

Indwelling sin unmortified

will make the best grow careless,

...we may lose a sense of how

displeasing sin is to God.

Iain Murray

Heroes, page 292

A Great Day

What a great day we had today, Sunday, August 16th, 2009. We had our first baptismal service today. We baptized three young ladies, young mothers, young wives; all of whom gave great testimonies to the grace of God in their lives. What a joy, both as their pastor and as a fellow believer, to share in their joy on this occasion. Another joy was in the fact that the men who baptized them were not only church members, but men who have been active in their lives and instrumental in where they are spiritually. 

One of the men baptized two of the young ladies, his daughter and her friend. The other man was the father-in-law of the one he baptized. In my pre-baptismal counseling with these women, each one of them commented individually on how much they appreciated these men, and their spiritual influence on them. These men were intentionally active and influential in the spiritual lives of these young women. Yes, God is sovereign in salvation, and sovereign in the means of salvation, but we must do our part as well. 

We baptized in the swimming pool at the home of one of our members, and each of the young women gave a short testimony and then was baptized. Following their baptism I gave a short word aimed at the unbelieving family members present and an exhortation to our church family, and then we had a fellowship meal. There was a joy present that you could both see and feel. 

One of the common elements in each testimony was the fact that all of them had been baptized as young teenagers, but had come to the realization that they had been saved much later, with two of them being saved within the last six months. This is such a common testimony for so many, and, in fact, is my testimony along my wife's. We, the church, do such a disservice to people in our rush to get them to say the prayer, walk the aisle, so we can count them as one of our converts. 

Each one of these ladies told me that they never really understood what they were doing, but assumed it meant they had become Christians, because they were baptized and became church members. Thank God for His sovereignty in our salvation, because we can rest fully assured that if we are His, He will save us; but, with that being said, woe to those who give people false assurance and a false notion that they are truly saved, or do not give a clear and precise explanation of the gospel that will cause a person to truly know where they stand in relation to God, and exactly what saving faith is. 

It reminds me of a time many years ago, at another church, when we were gathered for an outreach meeting and the two associate pastors were trying to teach people how to lead others in the sinner's prayer. When I asked them to show from the Scriptures where anyone had ever prayed to be saved, or where we were told to get people to pray the sinner's prayer so that they would be saved; they acted like I had thrown a bucket of cold water on the whole group. Of course they could not do so and finally admitted as much, and then continued on with what they were doing. I wish I could say this was an aberration, but it is not. In fact, two of the young ladies that were baptized today were baptized in that church under the ministry of one of the associate pastors I mentioned above. 

Getting the gospel right is important, life-altering important, and we must be sure that the gospel we present leaves no doubt in the person's mind concerning the reality of their position before God. I got off track here, as this is something that I am passionate about, but God is sovereign and God is good, His lovingkindness is everlasting, and this was a good day, no, a very great day, as we were able to share and rejoice with these precious ladies the goodness of God in saving them and making them His own.