For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. — Ephesians 2:8-9
Nothing we could do ourselves.
It is the gift of God, not from ourselves.
Not by works or anything we can do.
We have nothing to boast in except God and His Son Jesus.
Happy Halloween!
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. — Romans 12:1
In view of His great sacrifice, He calls me to offer myself to Him.
As a living sacrifice, pleasing to God.
Only He can make me holy.
Through Jesus I can come into His presence.
This is my true and proper worship.
Yesterday our church hosted a graduation ceremony for the Rescue Mission, nearby.
It was a joyful time of celebration.
For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” And this is the word that was preached to you. — 1 Peter 1:24-25
Just like the flowers of the field, the grass withers and the flowers fall.
But the Word of the Lord endures forever.
And this is the Word contained in the Scriptures.
God's Word to direct our lives.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. — Hebrews 4:12
It speaks to me differently that it did a year or two ago.
Each time I read a passage of Scripture, God has a new insight for me.
He is continually teaching me through His Word.
It is alive and active.
Sharper than any two-edged sword.
It penetrates to my soul.
It judges the thoughts and attitudes of my heart.
And then helps to steer me back to the path God intended.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. — 2 Timothy 3:16
It is God-breathed and true.
All Scripture is useful for teaching.
I love His Word.
It gives me light and shines in the darkness.
It is useful for rebuking and correcting me.
His Word guides my life.
God uses His Word to train me in righteousness.
I love His Word.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. — Ephesians 5:19-20
Sometimes I just want to call people idiots.
But God commands me to speak with psalms, hymn, and spiritual songs from the Spirit.
He asks me to sing and make music from my heart to the Lord.
And He commands me to always give thanks to God for everything.
And to thank God in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. — Proverbs 9:10
And knowledge of Jesus, the Holy One is understanding.
I'm on the beginning path.
Just continuing to learn about God and His Word.
And getting to know His Son Jesus better each day.
This is the view we had from the walking bridge at the zoo on Saturday.
A beautiful evening with the Old Globe theater in the background.
