What must I do to be saved?

In Deuteronomy 1, the Israelites are standing on the doorstep of entering into the Promised Land. Moses is explaining the Law that God had given to him and to Israel. He explains in verse 8, that God said, “See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.”

That all sounds good until things become a little scary. The Israelites are frightened by the wilderness (Dt. 1:19), so Moses gives them a “pep talk.” He says in verse 21: “See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

It didn’t work. After the spies return from seeing the good land, they say in essence: “Nope. There’s no way. Those people are giants” (see v. 28). Moses said in verses 29-33, “Then I said to you, ‘Do not be terrified, or afraid of them. 30 The Lord your God, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all He did for you in Egypt before your eyes  and in the wilderness where you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went until you came to this place.’ 32 Yet, for all that, you did not believe the Lord your God, 33 who went in the way before you to search out a place for you to pitch your tents, to show you the way you should go, in the fire by night and in the cloud by day.”

Fear often causes us to forget. Faith enables us to forge onward! But faith is not always the complete absence of fear. Sometimes faith is having enough courage even when it is fearful. In Israel’s case, God had made a promise. He was going to give the land to His people.

Let’s skip forward just a little bit now to Deuteronomy 9. Moses says there in verses 1-3: “Hear, O Israel: you are to cross over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than you, cities great and fortified up to heaven, 2 a people great and tall, the sons of the Anakim, whom you know, and of whom you have heard it said, ‘Who can stand before the sons of Anak?’ 3 Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the Lord your God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the Lord has promised you.”

Moses (or, God) assures Israel that they are not going to overtake the inhabitants of the land because of their own righteousness nor will they do it based upon their own power.

And then in Deuteronomy 31:7-8, the text says, “Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. 8 It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

The Lord went before Israel. The Lord went with Israel. The Lord did not leave nor forsake Israel. What about us? Has the Lord made a different but yet similar promise to His people, spiritual Israel today?

Of course, Jesus promised to be with the apostles as they went into all the world preaching the Gospel (Mt. 28:18-20). He said that He would be with the twelve apostles specifically, but since His mission continues as long as this world stands, His promise stands as well. Though He is not with us in a miraculous way today, He is with us in a providential way, and that doesn’t mean anything less. Perhaps it is even more astonishing to consider. God can and will work behind the scenes. Sometimes it may be completely hidden from our sight. Sometimes it may be so thinly veiled that we have no doubt of His working.

In Philippians 4:13 Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” The word “all” does not mean all in a comprehensive way. It does not mean that we have the capability of doing whatever we want to do. It does mean that Christ will provide the strength we need to do everything He wants us to do.

We don’t have to fear the work of our Lord. He will go before us!

Daren Schroeder

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a vacation destination.  In fact, it’s listed as one of the top ten destinations in the entire U.S.  It is completely surrounded by the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, the most-visited National Park in the U.S.  Gatlinburg, about two hours from where I live, is where my wife and I honeymooned many years ago, and it holds cherished memories for many.

Now Gatlinburg has another reason for many to visit: the “Eggo House of Pancakes”, a chalet made to appear like a stack of pancakes drizzled with syrup.  The manufacturers of Eggo Waffles (and now pancakes, too) have designed and furnished this house, and those lucky ones who are chosen will “be transported into a pancake paradise from the moment they step inside.”

If you’ve been to Gatlinburg, you know there are an abundance of pancake houses.  I suppose there’s something in the mountain air that stirs one’s appetite for a plate of flapjacks.  Eggo is using that fact to promote their product.  For pancake lovers this may be regarded as “paradise”.

“Paradise” is a familiar word to most of us; it refers to something wonderful, an object of our dreams.  We have different ideas of what paradise might be: some might envision a mountain retreat, while others prefer an oceanfront scene.  Still others think of a golf course, or maybe an English garden.

In Genesis 2:8-10 we get our first glimpse of paradise: “The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden …”  “Garden” is paradeison in the Greek translation of that passage, and that’s where our first ideas of paradise originate. People can design lovely gardens, but could anything come close to this?

Jesus told the penitent thief that “today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).  Though we aren’t given details of what that place was like, we easily imagine that it was a place of comfort and rest (based on information Jesus gave in Luke 16:19-25).  In 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 Paul wrote about a visit to “the third heaven”, or “Paradise”.  Again, details are lacking, but Paul made it clear it was a place of bliss and peace.

So, what will God’s Paradise be like?  We don’t know about the presence of syrupy pancakes, but here’s what we do know from John 14:1-3: “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Note these two facts about the true Paradise: (1) It’s where God and Christ dwell, and (2) it has been “prepared” for us.  Isn’t that enough for us to know?  If the Lord is there and if He has prepared it for us, then absolutely, count me in!  He wants me to come home and has made it possible for me to come.  This is Paradise in its fullest and most glorious manifestation!

Come to the light God offers!  Study His word, the Bible.  Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).  Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.

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Copyright, 2024, Timothy D. Hall

Every person who reads the Bible and meditates on its message becomes a theologian. When you read Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” – you automatically either believe that some God exists, or you think that this book is just a bunch of fairy tales. Even if you believe that “a” God exists, you then have to meditate on what type of God exists. What is His nature? What is His character? Just who is God?

In this series of studies, I am helping us answer that question, as God reveals Himself and describes Himself in the Bible.

Before we go further, let me define the word “person” for us: It means someone who has: 1) Feelings; 2) Intellect, and; 3) Will. When we look at the three persons who are Jehovah, we see each person with divine feelings, divine intellect, and divine will.

THE HOLY SPIRIT IS JEHOVAH:

We start with the Holy Spirit because the Israelites were introduced to the second member of the “Godhead” immediately in Genesis 1:2.

The phrase “Spirit of God” is used 12 times in the Old Testament. The phrase “Spirit of the Lord” is used 24 times. But He is mentioned by just the word “Spirit” or “Spirit of holiness” or other similar expressions between 75 and 85 times, perhaps even more.

We can’t spend much time going through every verse that mentions the Holy Spirit, but He did empower the judges to lead God’s people to freedom. The Spirit inspired God’s kings to lead God’s people as well. But what is most significant is that the Spirit guided men in the OT times to speak the word of God so that Israel would know what God wanted Israel to know (2 Sam. 23:2).

THE WORD IS JEHOVAH:

Isaiah 40:3 predicted a messenger who would prepare the way before the “Lord” (which is “Jehovah” in Hebrew). John the baptizer was the messenger and Jesus Christ is “Jehovah” for whom John prepared the way.

Staying in Isaiah, we see in Isaiah 7:14 that the prophet predicted a virgin would give birth to a child and His nature, His name, would be “Emmanuel” which translates as “God – who would be Jehovah – with us.” The Messiah would be “Jehovah God in the flesh.”

Let’s use two more examples from the OT, first Psalm 110:1, 4. The Jews understood David to be speaking of his descendant, which was correct, but how could Jehovah God say to David’s son that He has the right to sit at Jehovah God’s right hand and reign over His enemies? The Jews debated that question. Additionally, if you look at verse 4, Jehovah swears an oath that this “Son of David” will be a priest forever. Yes, the Jewish rabbis debated who exactly this Messiah would be. Jesus will tell them in John 10:34-38.

One more example is found in Psalm 45:6. Here, Jehovah God is speaking to the Son and says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” I know the Father is speaking to the Son and referring to Him as “God” because the Hebrew writer tells us in Hebrews 1:8!

THE NEW TESTAMENT CLARIFIES THE GODHEAD:

First, the NT teaches that One member of the Godhead is identified as “Father:” John 6:27; Rom. 1:7 Gal. 1:1.

Secondly, the NT teaches that the Holy Spirit is a member of the Godhead. I really just want to point this out from Acts 5:3-4.

Thirdly, the NT teaches that One member of the Godhead is identified, once He came to earth, as the “Son:” For example, please observe John 1:18: “No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.” This “only begotten God” was in the beginning with God and He was God (John 1:1).

Now, take a look at these passages:

Romans 9:5 – “whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.”

Titus 2:13 – “looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”

Colossians 2:9 – “in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form”

THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE DEITY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT AND THE WORD:

First, let’s talk about our response to the Holy Spirit. Specifically, His role in the plan of salvation is to reveal God’s will to us, which He has done through the inspired apostles and prophets. Let’s read 1 Corinthians 2:10-13.

Second, let’s talk about our response to Jesus Christ. Specifically, Paul uses the deity / humanity of Jesus to illustrate humility and he calls on us to imitate that humility. Let’s look at Philippians 2:1-11.

The Father is God. The Holy Spirit is God and Jesus is God. Let’s listen / obey Him!

Paul Holland

CONTEXT

1. Matthew’s account, between chapter 2 and 3, skips around 29 years! It goes from Jesus being a baby, until Jesus is about 30 years old (see Lk. 3:23).

Matthew 3 has introduced us to John the baptizer and his ministry of preparing people for the Messiah and His kingdom (see esp. vv. 2-3).

OUR TEXT

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Observe the following points from the text:

1. The Emphatic Arrival of Jesus on the Scene (v. 13). “Then came Jesus” – Here is the arrival of the Messiah, the One the OT prophets pointed to, as well as John. The wording of this phrase is strikingly similar to the appearance of John in 3:1 which says, “In those days John the Baptist came…” But as John is the first to point out, the stage of Jesus is much grander than his! He was merely paving the way.
2. John’s Emphatic Question (v. 14). “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Note the repetition of the pronoun “you.” John is saying, “Something is backwards here!” While the humility of John is absolutely undeniable both here and elsewhere, it is also possible (if not probable) that he was using this as a teaching opportunity. (Compare Lk. 7:22.) The last thing that John wants is people to follow him rather than Christ!
3. Jesus’ Emphatic Response and Baptism (v. 15). “Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Both John and Jesus well understand their role and work seamlessly together. John clears the way for Jesus to be baptized by him and their roles not to be misunderstood.

Though John’s baptism was “for the forgiveness of sins” (Mk. 1:4), Jesus had none (see Heb. 4:15; 2 Cor. 5:21). Yet baptism was a command given through John, an inspired spokesmen for God. There may be much involved in Jesus “fulfilling all righteousness” through His baptism, but consider these two particular thoughts: (1) The command of John (or, heaven) was righteous and needed to be fulfilled by the perfect Son of God (compare Rom. 8:3-4; Heb. 5:9; Ps. 119:137).

1. Inseparably from this is the plan of the Father to save mankind through His Son’s death, burial and resurrection, which is represented in the action of baptism (see Rom. 6:3-4).
2. The Emphatic Witness of the Godhead (vv. 16-17). At the culmination of the baptism of Jesus, the Spirit descends upon the Lord, and the voice of the Father in heaven states, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (v. 17). The opening of heaven (v. 16), the descending of the Spirit and the voice of the Father giving a ringing endorsement for Jesus truly being the Messiah!

CONCLUSION

If we learn two things from this text, perhaps it ought to be:

1. There is good reason to believe in Jesus as the Messiah.
2. There is good reason to be baptized! Jesus had not sinned and was compelled to be baptized. What about us? (See Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; 1 Pt. 3:21; Rom. 6:3-4.)

Daren Schroeder

When I think of the word, “Steadfast,” I think of longevity. Paul encouraged the Christians in Colossae to “continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard” (Col. 1:23).  In our life of service to Christ and his church we are to “continue in the faith” year after year, “not moved away” from our hope of eternal life.

Demas was a worker with Paul, but he was not steadfast, as Paul wrote, “Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:9) Many today have followed his example. In giving the explanation of the Sower, Jesus said that some disciples will be like the seed upon rocky ground, “they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away” (Lu. 8:13). If all the people we have baptized were to have remained steadfast, our churches would be overflowing.

How “Steadfast” have you been in the Lord? When was the last time you missed attending church worship service? Years? Last week? Since your baptism, has your faithfulness to the Lord been measured by months or decades? Paul said of his life in Christ, “I have finished the course, I have kept the faith,” He was rewarded for his longevity with “a crown of life” (2 Tim. 4:7,8). True, our salvation is not totally based on our attendance record, or longevity of service. Yet, “Steadfast” is an important characteristic of a faithful Christian life.

-Dennis Doughty

As mentioned previously, Kim and I had an opportunity to take a Mediterranean cruise to see some of the lands mentioned in the Bible, namely in the countries of Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus. While there, we were able to see the locations of three of the sites of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

At Ephesus, we were able to see the city proper, the amphitheater mentioned in Acts 19, and the library of Celsus. Around the corner was the temple of Diana (Artemis). The temple would have looked much like the Parthenon but on a much grander scale.

In Antipater of Sidon’s list of the world’s seven wonders he wrote, “I have set eyes on the wall of lofty Babylon on which is a road for chariots, and the statue of Zeus by the Alpheus, and the hanging gardens, and the colossus of the Sun, and the huge labour of the high pyramids, and the vast tomb of Mausolus; but when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, “Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand”.

Today only one column remains of the temple of Diana. The column itself had to be reconstructed just so people would know its location.

At Bodrum, Türkiye, we saw the location of the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus. Mausolus was a king whose wife erected a great mausoleum to his memory. The building was said to have been made of marble and stood 140 feet tall. The building was decorated in animal figures and depictions of battle. The crown of the structure consisted of twenty-four steps that went up like a pyramid upon which stood a marble chariot complete with riders and pulled by four horses.

Years later the structure was destroyed by a massive earthquake and the stones were repurposed to build a fortress on the banks of the harbor. Today only a pit remains with a few segments of columns laying around. Even the burial tomb of king Mausolus is virtually unrecognizable.

Then we visited the harbor of Rhodes. There in 280 BC the colossus of Rhodes was built. It is said that this massive statue of Helios, the god of fire, and made of iron and bronze, straddled the opening of the harbor. The monument was so great that ships would sail under its legs as they sailed into the port. The statue was said to be over 100 feet tall and rested on a platform that lifted it up another fifty feet. The Colossus served as a monument of a military victory as well as a lighthouse for approaching ships. Today the Colossus is nowhere to be found as only fifty-four years later; it was destroyed by an earthquake. The bronze was taken away and repurposed.

All three of the wonders of the ancient world we saw were either nonexistent or lay in ruins. Yet God has created a kingdom that lasts to this very day. In Daniel 2, the great king Nebuchadnezzar had a dream of a marvelous statue whose head was made of gold, its arms and legs of silver, the thighs of bronze and the legs and feet of iron and clay. Daniel interpreted that dream for him by saying that he was the ruler of the kingdom which represented the head of gold, but that other kingdoms would arise after him: the Medes and Persians, the Greeks and finally the Romans. Daniel told him that during the time of the Roman empire that God would set up a kingdom that would last forever.

Daniel 2:44 says, “And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.”

True to God’s word, He set up His kingdom in Acts 2 in what we know as the Church. Paul referred to the church as the kingdom in Colossians 1:13 when he said, “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love…”. Jesus promised that it would come in their life times and it did. Jesus said in Mark 9:1, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”

While the ancient wonders of the world lay in ruins, today I am a part of a spiritual kingdom that God instituted and Jesus died for over 2,000 years ago. It is a kingdom that no matter how bleak the world might appear will stand the test of time. And it will remain until the Lord returns. You too can be a part of the Lord’s Church, His Kingdom, when you become a New Testament Christian.

If you would like to know more about the salvation that God extends to humanity through His Son Jesus, please let us know.

Roy Knight

When something runs perfectly, operates smoothy, we say it runs like a “Swiss Watch.” These time pieces became known by their precision and carefully engineered parts. A good watch is used to tell time in minutes, hours, days, months, and even years. This year is a Leap year, which is calculated by precision time keeping. For a year is not 365 days, it really takes 365 days 5 hours 48 minutes and 56 seconds for the earth to circle the Sun. Every year is exactly the same, down to the second.  That extra time needs to be accounted for, so every four years we add an extra day; February 29^th: Leap Year.

If we did not add that extra day, over a couple of centuries it would throw off our calendars, then our seasons, and we could find ourselves celebrating Summer in December. If our orbit around the sun was off a few hours or minutes, each year our life would be in constant chaos.

Thankfully, God’s universe runs like a Swiss watch, one that never needs winding. Our Solar system operates with great precision by a carefully engineered created power. God set up His universe that “while the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Gen. 8:22). Our year’s journey around the sun takes place with such precision that… well,  you can set your watch by it!

-Dennis Doughty

Life is never static. We must grow or else begin to shrivel and die.

JESUS GREW SPIRITUAL AND INTELLECTUALLY – Luke 2:52:

Jesus grew; He matured. He grew in favor with God and He grew in favor with man. He is our pattern for growth.

STAND FIRM TO GROW – Ephesians 6:10-20:

Each Christian is a soldier (2 Tim. 2:3-4).

The Nature of our Warfare – Eph. 6:10-12. We are in a spiritual battle.

The Description of the Panoply – Eph. 6:13-17. Each piece of our armor is related in some way to the Bible, to truth. We need to be truthful, honest, and sincere (the belt). We need to obey Jesus Christ to be righteous (the breastplate). We need to know the Gospel and share it (the shoes). We need faith / confidence in God (the shield). We need to be saved and know we are (the helmet). We need the Bible in our hearts and in our hands (the sword).

The Necessity of Prayer – Eph. 6:18-20.

Praying “in the Spirit” is a spiritual conversation, influenced by the Spirit and His teachings, His goals, His desires, His purposes. And we live in harmony with the Spirit’s teachings.

WALK TO GROW – Colossians 2:6:

Christ calls on us to keep walking consistent with His teachings we have received.

GROW IN GRACE & KNOWLEDGE – 2 Peter 3:17-18:

We “stand,” we “walk,” now we “grow.”

There is no place to stop in this process.

Christ challenges us to grow in His grace and knowledge of His Truth. Let’s stand; let’s walk; let’s grow.

Paul Holland

While there are many perplexing matters in Matthew 2, some things are certain and faith building. Let’s consider a few significant points from this chapter.

1. First, note that the events of the chapter are set in history. Real places are mentioned, like: Bethlehem of Judea, Jerusalem, the land of Judah, Egypt, and Nazareth. Likewise a specific time in history: “the days of Herod the king” (v.1). Individuals are mentioned: Jesus, Herod, Mary, Joseph, Jeremiah, and Rachel. Groups of people are mentioned: the chief priests, scribes, and wise men. Why is this significant? It gives serious credibility to that which is written.

1. Secondly, notice the contrast between King Herod and King Jesus. While Herod was a king, Jesus was a greater one, even being “born king of the Jews” (v. 2). Not only was He born king of the Jews, He also died “king of the Jews” (Mt. 27:37). Ironically, King Herod was blinded to the spiritual import of the birth of Jesus, being blinded by his selfish ambition and pride. Jesus, the Messiah, was born into this world as a baby and was “gentle and lowly in heart” (see Mt. 11:29).

1. In the third place, and likely the most important aspect of this chapter, note the fulfillment of prophecy related to the birth and early years of Jesus. Christ was born in Bethlehem as was prophesied (see vv. 5-6; Mic. 5:2). A part of what makes this prophecy so remarkable is that Joseph and Mary did not live in Bethlehem, yet Jesus was born there when they went to be present for the census (see Lk. 2:1-7). The exacting nature of fulfilled prophecy is astonishing and faith building!

Note briefly the other fulfilled prophecies: (1) The fulfillment of Genesis 49:10, Jesus being a ruler from the tribe of Judah (v. 6). (2) The fulfillment of Jesus being called out of Egypt (vv. 14-15; Hos. 11:1). (3) The weeping and lamentation in Ramah (vv. 17-18; Jer. 31:15). (4) Jesus being called a Nazarene (v. 23). There is actually no specific prophecy of this. Eric Lyons (in his article entitled: Where Was Jesus Called a Nazarene?, on the Apologetics Press website: www.apologeticspress.org), points out that the city of Nazareth was known in the first century as a rather obscure locality (see Jn. 1:45-46; Acts 24:5), which certainly seems fitting of the prophecies made concerning Him (see Is. 53:2-3; Ps. 22:6-7).

It is amazing to consider how easily one of these prophecies could have failed if they weren’t of a divine nature! But the Scripture remains unbroken! (Jn. 10:35). It can be trusted!

1. Finally, and related to the former point, we should note God’s providential hand at work in Matthew 2. Even the most vicious of enemies would only be used as a pawn in the hand of Almighty God! God knows and God is greater than all of the adversaries under heaven combined and are no match for Him accomplishing His redeeming plan to save mankind!

CONCLUSION:

We may debate many things in Matthew 2, like: Who were the wise men? Where exactly were they from? How many were there? Were they Jew or Gentile? But here is a question to consider: How motivated ought we to be to assemble together in order to show how grateful we are for our Lord and for God’s plan to save us from our sins?

Daren Schroeder

First Corinthians chapter fifteen declares eyewitness proofs of Christ’s resurrection (vs.1-8), giving us the firm conviction of our own resurrection (vs.35-49), providing us the victory over death (vs.54-57). The great chapter ends with this statement, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (vs 58).

What a great chapter!  What a great ending verse! “Therefore” [since we will be resurrected], “be steadfast” [faithful to the end], “immovable” [not swayed from the truth], “abounding” [in quality and quantity] “in the work of the Lord.”

That may be seen as asking a lot of us. But then comes the great promise, “Knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” If we remain “Steadfast, immovable” our efforts, our faith, our work, will not go unrewarded.  That reward being our resurrection, in a new “imperishable” body, that will put on “immortality.” Our life in Christ here, comes with eternal life in Christ there. “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial,” James wrote. “He will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him” (James 1:12).

-Dennis Doughty