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Epistle for March 1, 2002

#1 · March 1, 2002, 2:58 am

Quote from Forum Archives on March 1, 2002, 2:58 am
Posted by: ccfmo <ccfmo@...>

e-pistle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation March 1, 2002

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In This Issue:
Sermon: I Kings 19:4; Luke 2:44
Bible Study: James 1:5-8, 17-22
Personal Growth of the Minister
Website

A Day's Journey
(I Kings 19:4; Luke 2:44)

Too many of us Christian ministers today seem to be "a day's journey" away from God. Our failure to walk in intimacy with the Father may explain why we seem to accomplish so little that actually remains permanently.

Realization of (making real) our dream, our vision, our destiny in ministry must find its strength in a living spirituality. Psychological techniques, organizational methods, and motivational cheer-leading won't produce "gold, silver, or precious stone" results. Rather, they produce merely "corn-shucks." The power of ministry springs from and flourishes out of a personal encounter and a continuing fellowship with the resurrected Christ.

Spirituality has a private dimension before it has a public influence. The call to minister is first a call to spirituality. The Spirit-filled minister models a humble, authentic, and intimate walk with God.

Barriers to a Growing Spirituality

"What is the greatest problem in America today . . . ignorance or apathy?" It may have been Mark Twain who answered that question by asserting: "I don't know, and I don't care!"

These two ideas summarize the greatest problems in the ministry today:
1. Ignorance:
A. Thinking that a person cannot have real intimacy with God.
B. Not knowing the ingredients and dimensions of true spirituality.
C. An erroneous concept of what personal success in life means.

2. Apathy:
A. Busyness . . . the intensity of our schedules and lifestyles.
B. Inconsistency in thought, word, and deed.
C. Sheer laziness . . . lack of a disciplined life.

The Necessary Dimensions of Spirituality

1. A committed and submitted life.
2. Discipline (regular prayer, fasting, study, and meditation).
3. Focusing priority attention on the living Christ.
4. Sensitivity to needs and opportunities to minister for Christ.

Walking with God can be an exciting adventure. He has made us for fellowship with Himself. He longs to have the intimacy of father and child with us. More than anything else, He wants to help us become all that He created us to be . . . His children, made in His image, looking like His beloved Son, Jesus.

My Devotional Life (An Imperfect Example)

With some hesitancy, I write about my personal devotional life in response to a number of requests from my mentoring partners. In no way is this to be perceived as some holy standard by which persons should pattern their own quiet times with the Lord! My goal . . . which I don't always attain . . . is to spend three or four hours a day nurturing my personal walk with God.

I am a "morning person," so usually I am able to start my day early with the Lord. My normal routine is to rise at 5:00 a.m. and arrive at my office before 6:30. It takes only about 30 seconds, but I begin my quiet time with PRAISE, using an acrostic suggested by Jack Hayford, composer of the song "Majesty."

P . . . Present yourself to the Lord with humility.
R . . . Raise holy hands in peace.
A . . . Audibly speak thanks in praise.
I . . . .Invite fresh Holy Spirit fullness.
S . . .Sing a new song in hope.
E . . . Enter each new day with faith.

Here's an example of what I usually say:

"Lord I present myself to You with humility. I raise holy hands (cleansed and forgiven
through the blood of Christ) in peace. I audibly speak thanks and praise unto Your
name. I invite the Holy Spirit to come in fullness and freshness into my life today.
I sing a new song in hope. (Here I pause briefly to sing a song from my heart.) I
enter this new day, Lord, with faith."

Next, I focus on devotional Bible reading and prayer to help me center my attention on the Lord. I use a read-the-Bible-through-in-a-year plan, plus a regular dipping into some writings of some of my personal heroes . . . Oswald Chambers, E.M. Bounds, S.D. Gordon, Watchman Nee, or Jack Hayford.

I use a form of structured prayer built upon Jesus' Model Prayer in Matthew 6.

1. I open with affirmation of personal relationship. (Our Father)
2. In my spirit, I worship Him. (Hallowed be Thy name)
3. I yield in my soul (mind, emotions, will) to His rule. (Thy Kingdom come)
4. I interecede for others. (Thy will be done on earth)
5. I pray for personal, physical needs. (Give us . . .daily bread)
6. I establish or renew divine fellowship. (Forgive my sins)
7. I cultivate a Christ-like attitude toward others. (As I forgive . . .)
8. I pray for guidance. (Lead us . . .)
9. I pray for protection from Satan. (Deliver us from the evil one)
10. I close with affirmation and praise. (Thine is the kingdom, power, glory)

A written prayer list helps keep my intercessory time (#4 above) focused. Petitions and answers are dated to help build and strengthen my faith.

I am constantly seeking to expand my skill of practicing the presence of God. I try to spend one of my three or four hours daily in meditation. I meditate on Bible stories, spiritual themes, and/or contemplation of Almighty God Himself. Often divine discernment has come during such quiet periods. (When I'm traveling long distances, I spend most of that driving or flying time in meditation.)

I keep a spiritual journal, entering a new "word" from the Scripture each day, along with any impressions or ideas which come to mind during the day's devotions. (Special "rhema" words are flagged in red.) For the past three years, I have written a "Personal and Practical" teaching outline/commentary each day on a different chapter of the Bible.

I try to schedule one day a month for solitude. On this day, on which I fast, I focus my entire attention upon God and my relationship with Him. (Although I am diabetic, I manage to fast for one meal each week, and at other times, I enter into the "spirit of the fast" by limiting my diet to only bread and fruit juice.)

Without this discipline within the 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday structure described, I probably would not have a meaningful devotional life. On Saturday mornings, I start a couple of hours later, and Sundays, I spend an hour before going to church . . . then a couple of hours in devotions in the afternoon.

However, this methodical framework must be counterbalanced by flexibility. If circumstances occasionally prevent me from spending these morning hours with the Lord, I do not beat myself up over it. In fact, on family vacation or personal retreat times, I intentionally limit my daily private devotional period to just one hour . . . retaining the balance of my free time for rest and relaxation. Discipline must never deteriorate into complusive-obsessive or legalistic behavior!

I enjoy the freedom of allowing the Lord to direct my devotional life. The serendipitous experiences He has provided are especially rich and meaningful. So, throughout each day, I try to remain sensitive to His surprises: seeing His hand in circumstances, hearing His voice in opened doors of opportunity, and feeling His heartbeat as I reach out to touch hurting people in the name of Jesus.

Openness to God and before God is the secret to spiritual growth. But it doesn't occur just by accident. It requires a conscious decision of the will to make it happen.

Here is a list of the devotional lifeskills I attempt to cultivate in the young men with whom I am connected in a spiritual mentoring relationship:

1. Fasting: at least one meal each week.
(Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 17:20-21; Isaiah 58:3-7)
2. Praying: confession and intercession, "without ceasing" . . .
at least three time daily . . . using the Model Prayer.
(Psalm 55:17; I Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:9-13; I John 1:9)
3. Singing: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs . . .
making melody in your heart continually.
(Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13)
4. Praising: speaking words to magnify the Lord,
at least seven times daily.
(Psalm 119:164; Psalm 150:1-6; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 19:5)
5. Reading: God's word daily . . . through the entire Bible annually.
(II Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)
6. Meditating: daily on the spiritual truths and implications in each
chosen passage.
(Psalm 19:14; Philippians 4:8)
7. Receiving: the Holy Spirit's fullness, enlightenment, revelation,
renewal, refreshing, and power daily.
(John 14:26; Ephesians 1:17-19; 5:18; James 1:5; I John 1:20, 27)
8. Journaling: daily writing personal reflections, revelations, experiences,
and spiritual applications.
(Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Jeremiah 30:2; Habbakuk 2:2)

How to Know God's Will
(James 1:5-8, 17-22)

1. Concentration: on what believers should do when they lack Godly wisdom

1. Ask of God . . . He gives (answers) to all liberally, v. 5.
2. Ask of God . . . He gives (answers) without reproach, v. 5.
3. Ask in faith, not doubting or wavering, v. 6.
4. Ask with sincerity and integrity (single-mindedness), vv. 7-8.

II. Meditation: on God's gifts (including wisdom)

1. God's gifts are always good and only good, v. 17.
2. God's gifts are reliable because He is unchangeable, v. 17.
3. God's will is that we understand (receive wisdom) about the word of
truth that brought us salvation, v. 18.
4. God's gift of eternal life in Christ makes believers a kind of firstfruits of
His creatures . . . "new creations," v. 18.

III. Revelation: on how believers should respond to God's gifts

1. Be swift to hear and slow to speak, v. 19.
2. Be slow to wrath, v. 19 . . . because "the wrath of man does not produce
the righteousness of God," v. 20.
3. Be repentant; laying aside wickedness and receiving with humility God's
implanted word, v. 21.
4. Be doers of the word, not hearers only, v. 22.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .

1. Ask God for wisdom, insight, and spiritual perception as I seek to find
and follow His will for my life.
2. Believe that God is gracious, answering my prayer of faith and integrity
with His generosity and understanding.
3. Know that God's gifts always are good and beneficial for my spiritual
growth and fruitfulness.
4. "Practice what I preach!" . . . Be a doer and not merely a hearer of His
word, especially His word of revelation to me regarding His will, for God
will not reveal to me His purpose and destiny for my life if I continue to
ignore it or to neglect following it.

Personal Growth of the Minister
by Dr. David Claybrook, Pastor, Christ Church - St. Louis

Dear JD (Jesus Disciple),

In the past, I have written to you about addictions. Maybe another way to describe the strong feelings I was alluding to is "passions." There are a number of books and articles on the market right now that encourage a passion for Jesus. For most of my life I was told that agape love is "unconditional goodwill." The picture I had was of a person always making the right decision and doing the right thing for the loved one regardless of feelings. In fact, I often thought of this kind of love as being without feeling or of acting properly in spite of negative feelings. These articles have caused me to rethink my view of love, especially love for God.

Is love for God supposed to be emotionless? Are we supposed to be feelingless followers of Christ, obediently doing his will regardless of the condition of our hearts? How far can we go on willpower alone? Do we not need some passion? On the other hand, what is the source of that passion? It cannot be self manufactured can it?

A couple of years ago I heard a preacher say that we should begin asking God for a love for Jesus similar to the love that Jesus and the Father share in the Godhead. He promised if I would do that faithfully that God would hear and answer my prayer. Last year I heard a man speak on a passion for Jesus that would characterize the Bride of Christ in the last days. This passion would be so focused that Christ would respond by returning to earth and take his Bride to heaven. These concepts all sound right to me and I have been pursuing such a passion ever since. Without much success, I must admit.

The fact is my heart is no warmer toward Christ today than three years ago when I first began to pray in this way. I once read an editorial response to an article on passion for Christ. The responder said, "My Bible says obedience, faith, trust, enduring hardship and living godly lives is what pleases God." She continues, "(The writer) said the Christian faith is all about love, passion and romance. What scripture backs this up? I don't agree with this because passion is fleeting; it's based on emotion. Romance is not consistent, yet biblical love is based on faith in Jesus . . . not feelings."

JD, I am forced to agree. There have been times in the past when my passion for Jesus was so hot it touched everyone around me. Everything about being a Christian is easy during those wonderful days. I love them and wish I lived there all of the time. But I don't. I'm not there right now. And I have concluded it is a deception to try to get there, either by will power or by prayer. Both of these seem to be self motivated and directed and thus are self-defeating.

What I think is needed is to remain steadfast in focus. That is, we must quit looking at self, our passion or lack of it and look at Jesus, his great love for us. This was certainly Mary and Martha's basis for asking for help from Jesus when their brother, Lazarus, became ill. According to John, they sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." (John 11:3) Not, "the one who loves you." John is consistent for he also describes himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." (John 21:7) Again, according to John, "This love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (I John 4:10) The Apostle John places the emphasis in the right place, the source of love, God himself.

I look forward to the return of those sweet days of passion for Christ. But until then, I am going to focus my attention on his love for me, especially the cross, and seek to remain faithful and obedient. How about you, JD? What do you think?

DM (Disciple Maker)

WEBSITE

YOU CAN NOW READ ABOUT FREEWAY FOUNDATION AND WHAT WE ARE

DOING AT OUR NEW WEBSITE.

CHECK IT OUT AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU LIKE IT.

WWW.FREEWAYFOUNDATION.ORG

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wit and Wisecrack: Mark Twain said, "Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: ccfmo <ccfmo@...>

e-pistle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation March 1, 2002

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In This Issue:
Sermon: I Kings 19:4; Luke 2:44
Bible Study: James 1:5-8, 17-22
Personal Growth of the Minister
Website

A Day's Journey
(I Kings 19:4; Luke 2:44)

Too many of us Christian ministers today seem to be "a day's journey" away from God. Our failure to walk in intimacy with the Father may explain why we seem to accomplish so little that actually remains permanently.

Realization of (making real) our dream, our vision, our destiny in ministry must find its strength in a living spirituality. Psychological techniques, organizational methods, and motivational cheer-leading won't produce "gold, silver, or precious stone" results. Rather, they produce merely "corn-shucks." The power of ministry springs from and flourishes out of a personal encounter and a continuing fellowship with the resurrected Christ.

Spirituality has a private dimension before it has a public influence. The call to minister is first a call to spirituality. The Spirit-filled minister models a humble, authentic, and intimate walk with God.

Barriers to a Growing Spirituality

"What is the greatest problem in America today . . . ignorance or apathy?" It may have been Mark Twain who answered that question by asserting: "I don't know, and I don't care!"

These two ideas summarize the greatest problems in the ministry today:
1. Ignorance:
A. Thinking that a person cannot have real intimacy with God.
B. Not knowing the ingredients and dimensions of true spirituality.
C. An erroneous concept of what personal success in life means.

2. Apathy:
A. Busyness . . . the intensity of our schedules and lifestyles.
B. Inconsistency in thought, word, and deed.
C. Sheer laziness . . . lack of a disciplined life.

The Necessary Dimensions of Spirituality

1. A committed and submitted life.
2. Discipline (regular prayer, fasting, study, and meditation).
3. Focusing priority attention on the living Christ.
4. Sensitivity to needs and opportunities to minister for Christ.

Walking with God can be an exciting adventure. He has made us for fellowship with Himself. He longs to have the intimacy of father and child with us. More than anything else, He wants to help us become all that He created us to be . . . His children, made in His image, looking like His beloved Son, Jesus.

My Devotional Life (An Imperfect Example)

With some hesitancy, I write about my personal devotional life in response to a number of requests from my mentoring partners. In no way is this to be perceived as some holy standard by which persons should pattern their own quiet times with the Lord! My goal . . . which I don't always attain . . . is to spend three or four hours a day nurturing my personal walk with God.

I am a "morning person," so usually I am able to start my day early with the Lord. My normal routine is to rise at 5:00 a.m. and arrive at my office before 6:30. It takes only about 30 seconds, but I begin my quiet time with PRAISE, using an acrostic suggested by Jack Hayford, composer of the song "Majesty."

P . . . Present yourself to the Lord with humility.
R . . . Raise holy hands in peace.
A . . . Audibly speak thanks in praise.
I . . . .Invite fresh Holy Spirit fullness.
S . . .Sing a new song in hope.
E . . . Enter each new day with faith.

Here's an example of what I usually say:

"Lord I present myself to You with humility. I raise holy hands (cleansed and forgiven
through the blood of Christ) in peace. I audibly speak thanks and praise unto Your
name. I invite the Holy Spirit to come in fullness and freshness into my life today.
I sing a new song in hope. (Here I pause briefly to sing a song from my heart.) I
enter this new day, Lord, with faith."

Next, I focus on devotional Bible reading and prayer to help me center my attention on the Lord. I use a read-the-Bible-through-in-a-year plan, plus a regular dipping into some writings of some of my personal heroes . . . Oswald Chambers, E.M. Bounds, S.D. Gordon, Watchman Nee, or Jack Hayford.

I use a form of structured prayer built upon Jesus' Model Prayer in Matthew 6.

1. I open with affirmation of personal relationship. (Our Father)
2. In my spirit, I worship Him. (Hallowed be Thy name)
3. I yield in my soul (mind, emotions, will) to His rule. (Thy Kingdom come)
4. I interecede for others. (Thy will be done on earth)
5. I pray for personal, physical needs. (Give us . . .daily bread)
6. I establish or renew divine fellowship. (Forgive my sins)
7. I cultivate a Christ-like attitude toward others. (As I forgive . . .)
8. I pray for guidance. (Lead us . . .)
9. I pray for protection from Satan. (Deliver us from the evil one)
10. I close with affirmation and praise. (Thine is the kingdom, power, glory)

A written prayer list helps keep my intercessory time (#4 above) focused. Petitions and answers are dated to help build and strengthen my faith.

I am constantly seeking to expand my skill of practicing the presence of God. I try to spend one of my three or four hours daily in meditation. I meditate on Bible stories, spiritual themes, and/or contemplation of Almighty God Himself. Often divine discernment has come during such quiet periods. (When I'm traveling long distances, I spend most of that driving or flying time in meditation.)

I keep a spiritual journal, entering a new "word" from the Scripture each day, along with any impressions or ideas which come to mind during the day's devotions. (Special "rhema" words are flagged in red.) For the past three years, I have written a "Personal and Practical" teaching outline/commentary each day on a different chapter of the Bible.

I try to schedule one day a month for solitude. On this day, on which I fast, I focus my entire attention upon God and my relationship with Him. (Although I am diabetic, I manage to fast for one meal each week, and at other times, I enter into the "spirit of the fast" by limiting my diet to only bread and fruit juice.)

Without this discipline within the 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. Monday through Friday structure described, I probably would not have a meaningful devotional life. On Saturday mornings, I start a couple of hours later, and Sundays, I spend an hour before going to church . . . then a couple of hours in devotions in the afternoon.

However, this methodical framework must be counterbalanced by flexibility. If circumstances occasionally prevent me from spending these morning hours with the Lord, I do not beat myself up over it. In fact, on family vacation or personal retreat times, I intentionally limit my daily private devotional period to just one hour . . . retaining the balance of my free time for rest and relaxation. Discipline must never deteriorate into complusive-obsessive or legalistic behavior!

I enjoy the freedom of allowing the Lord to direct my devotional life. The serendipitous experiences He has provided are especially rich and meaningful. So, throughout each day, I try to remain sensitive to His surprises: seeing His hand in circumstances, hearing His voice in opened doors of opportunity, and feeling His heartbeat as I reach out to touch hurting people in the name of Jesus.

Openness to God and before God is the secret to spiritual growth. But it doesn't occur just by accident. It requires a conscious decision of the will to make it happen.

Here is a list of the devotional lifeskills I attempt to cultivate in the young men with whom I am connected in a spiritual mentoring relationship:

1. Fasting: at least one meal each week.
(Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 17:20-21; Isaiah 58:3-7)
2. Praying: confession and intercession, "without ceasing" . . .
at least three time daily . . . using the Model Prayer.
(Psalm 55:17; I Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:9-13; I John 1:9)
3. Singing: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs . . .
making melody in your heart continually.
(Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13)
4. Praising: speaking words to magnify the Lord,
at least seven times daily.
(Psalm 119:164; Psalm 150:1-6; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 19:5)
5. Reading: God's word daily . . . through the entire Bible annually.
(II Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12)
6. Meditating: daily on the spiritual truths and implications in each
chosen passage.
(Psalm 19:14; Philippians 4:8)
7. Receiving: the Holy Spirit's fullness, enlightenment, revelation,
renewal, refreshing, and power daily.
(John 14:26; Ephesians 1:17-19; 5:18; James 1:5; I John 1:20, 27)
8. Journaling: daily writing personal reflections, revelations, experiences,
and spiritual applications.
(Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Jeremiah 30:2; Habbakuk 2:2)

How to Know God's Will
(James 1:5-8, 17-22)

1. Concentration: on what believers should do when they lack Godly wisdom

1. Ask of God . . . He gives (answers) to all liberally, v. 5.
2. Ask of God . . . He gives (answers) without reproach, v. 5.
3. Ask in faith, not doubting or wavering, v. 6.
4. Ask with sincerity and integrity (single-mindedness), vv. 7-8.

II. Meditation: on God's gifts (including wisdom)

1. God's gifts are always good and only good, v. 17.
2. God's gifts are reliable because He is unchangeable, v. 17.
3. God's will is that we understand (receive wisdom) about the word of
truth that brought us salvation, v. 18.
4. God's gift of eternal life in Christ makes believers a kind of firstfruits of
His creatures . . . "new creations," v. 18.

III. Revelation: on how believers should respond to God's gifts

1. Be swift to hear and slow to speak, v. 19.
2. Be slow to wrath, v. 19 . . . because "the wrath of man does not produce
the righteousness of God," v. 20.
3. Be repentant; laying aside wickedness and receiving with humility God's
implanted word, v. 21.
4. Be doers of the word, not hearers only, v. 22.

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .

1. Ask God for wisdom, insight, and spiritual perception as I seek to find
and follow His will for my life.
2. Believe that God is gracious, answering my prayer of faith and integrity
with His generosity and understanding.
3. Know that God's gifts always are good and beneficial for my spiritual
growth and fruitfulness.
4. "Practice what I preach!" . . . Be a doer and not merely a hearer of His
word, especially His word of revelation to me regarding His will, for God
will not reveal to me His purpose and destiny for my life if I continue to
ignore it or to neglect following it.

Personal Growth of the Minister
by Dr. David Claybrook, Pastor, Christ Church - St. Louis

Dear JD (Jesus Disciple),

In the past, I have written to you about addictions. Maybe another way to describe the strong feelings I was alluding to is "passions." There are a number of books and articles on the market right now that encourage a passion for Jesus. For most of my life I was told that agape love is "unconditional goodwill." The picture I had was of a person always making the right decision and doing the right thing for the loved one regardless of feelings. In fact, I often thought of this kind of love as being without feeling or of acting properly in spite of negative feelings. These articles have caused me to rethink my view of love, especially love for God.

Is love for God supposed to be emotionless? Are we supposed to be feelingless followers of Christ, obediently doing his will regardless of the condition of our hearts? How far can we go on willpower alone? Do we not need some passion? On the other hand, what is the source of that passion? It cannot be self manufactured can it?

A couple of years ago I heard a preacher say that we should begin asking God for a love for Jesus similar to the love that Jesus and the Father share in the Godhead. He promised if I would do that faithfully that God would hear and answer my prayer. Last year I heard a man speak on a passion for Jesus that would characterize the Bride of Christ in the last days. This passion would be so focused that Christ would respond by returning to earth and take his Bride to heaven. These concepts all sound right to me and I have been pursuing such a passion ever since. Without much success, I must admit.

The fact is my heart is no warmer toward Christ today than three years ago when I first began to pray in this way. I once read an editorial response to an article on passion for Christ. The responder said, "My Bible says obedience, faith, trust, enduring hardship and living godly lives is what pleases God." She continues, "(The writer) said the Christian faith is all about love, passion and romance. What scripture backs this up? I don't agree with this because passion is fleeting; it's based on emotion. Romance is not consistent, yet biblical love is based on faith in Jesus . . . not feelings."

JD, I am forced to agree. There have been times in the past when my passion for Jesus was so hot it touched everyone around me. Everything about being a Christian is easy during those wonderful days. I love them and wish I lived there all of the time. But I don't. I'm not there right now. And I have concluded it is a deception to try to get there, either by will power or by prayer. Both of these seem to be self motivated and directed and thus are self-defeating.

What I think is needed is to remain steadfast in focus. That is, we must quit looking at self, our passion or lack of it and look at Jesus, his great love for us. This was certainly Mary and Martha's basis for asking for help from Jesus when their brother, Lazarus, became ill. According to John, they sent word to Jesus, "Lord, the one you love is sick." (John 11:3) Not, "the one who loves you." John is consistent for he also describes himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." (John 21:7) Again, according to John, "This love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (I John 4:10) The Apostle John places the emphasis in the right place, the source of love, God himself.

I look forward to the return of those sweet days of passion for Christ. But until then, I am going to focus my attention on his love for me, especially the cross, and seek to remain faithful and obedient. How about you, JD? What do you think?

DM (Disciple Maker)

WEBSITE

YOU CAN NOW READ ABOUT FREEWAY FOUNDATION AND WHAT WE ARE

DOING AT OUR NEW WEBSITE.

CHECK IT OUT AND LET US KNOW HOW YOU LIKE IT.

http://WWW.FREEWAYFOUNDATION.ORG

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wit and Wisecrack: Mark Twain said, "Many a small thing has been made large by the right kind of advertising."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------