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Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Luke 14:27-28 Dear Lord, I am immeasurably blessed to be Your child, and it is the greatest privilege on earth to be Your disciple. Everything else in this world pales in comparison to You, Jesus. You are my supreme treasure. Jesus plus nothing equals everything. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). Come to Me Some of my favorite words that Jesus spoke were, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). As a believer, I no longer swim in sin nor enjoy the sins I once did in my unregenerate state, but I battle it. The Christian life is a battle every day. The Christian life isn’t easy, but with the Holy Spirit living inside of me, I have the grace of God with me. With the Holy Spirit, I am not alone in fighting sin, and my repentance is proven to be genuine as I continue to experience real victory over sin, which is evidence of being born again. And that brings me so much peace and joy to have the assurance of my salvation in Christ. Battling sin isn't always a walk in the park, but compared to the heavy yoke and burden of pride and sin, His yoke of humility and righteousness is easy on my shoulders. His burden is light. Lord, I praise You for lifting off the heavy burden of sin from my weary shoulders when you saved me and for placing me on Your path of righteousness for Your Name's sake. I found rest for my soul in You. I am eternally grateful! True Discipleship What did Jesus mean when He said to count the cost if we want to be His disciple? In Luke 14, Jesus lays out the terms of true discipleship. 25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:25-33). When Jesus talks about hating our own family, He means that if or when we are faced with the painful choice of loyalty to family over loyalty to Jesus, we must always choose Jesus. Even if our family disowns us for being Christian, we must choose to follow Christ instead of forsaking Christ to be accepted by our family. That's what Jesus means when He says "hate" in this passage. Jesus’ command to “hate father and mother..” requires us to place our relationship with Jesus above our relationship with our parents, spouses, siblings, and other family members. Although eternal life is a free gift by God’s grace, and the gospel is as free as the air we breathe, we must turn from our own selfish wills and turn to Jesus. We must wholeheartedly repent and put our trust in Christ alone. We must transfer our trust from ourselves to the Savior. The phrase “counting the costs” means that we first must recognize and agree to the terms that are laid out before us when we come to faith in Christ. You Must Choose When we follow Jesus, we cannot also follow the ways of the world. We cannot choose Jesus and righteousness and also choose sin and worldliness. It doesn't work that way. It can't. The two are mutually exclusive and completely incompatible. Following the system of this world that is under the dominion of Satan and following Jesus Christ are diametrically opposed. That's why true Christians in this world look like aliens and are persecuted for righteousness' sake. It's because our citizenship is in heaven. We are just pilgrims passing through. Scripture says we are foreigners and strangers in a foreign land. Our real home is in heaven. We are mainly here on this earth to shine the light and share the gospel so that others can join us in God's eternal kingdom too. We are not here just to party our lives away, laugh our lives away, work or sleep our lives away, nor are we here to live in excess and constant pleasure, and we are not to join the world in its lavish, sensual, earthly ways. We are not walking with the big crowd on the easy road that leads to destruction. We are walking with the small crowd on the hard path that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14). We are walking with Jesus intimately and in close fellowship with our brothers and sisters. Counting the Cost Along with repentance and forsaking our old lifestyle of sin, counting the cost of following Christ means we may have to end certain relationships, say goodbye to certain dreams, jobs, or material things, or we may even have to give up our very own lives for the sake of Jesus. There are a lot of things in this world that don't harmonize with truly following Jesus. Following the world's system of deception along with all its false religions, human philosophies, and ideologies couldn't be more opposed to following Jesus. The two are polar opposites, and there is no gray area. This world is also not a safe world, especially for those who are true Christians (namely in other parts of the world. However more severe persecution will be upon us in the United States quicker than we think. And that's where you'll see who is really for Christ and who just professes Christ with their mouths but in their hearts are still children of the devil). The thing is, since God is for us, true believers have nothing to fear. We have Jesus and eternal life in Him, and we trust in His plan and goodness for our lives. As believers we are simply here to shine the light, and there's a cost to shining that light. When we let that light shine for Jesus, many people are not going to like it, and at times, many will hate it. So, that's another cost. The deceptive world system and all who trust in that system are hostile against God and the Truth. And we are essentially people of the Truth, living in that broken system of lies, amongst the majority who believe those lies and even love them. As a Christian, you've got to know that you're doing something right if you're hated for Jesus' sake and for living a life of holiness in a world who loves sin and debauchery. People who live in darkness hate those who carry the light because the light is the Truth, and the Truth sheds light and exposes their evil deeds. The light we carry in us disturbs the darkness that resides in them. Persecution is evidence that you're convicted of the Truth and so convicted that you're not afraid to shine that light in a dark, hostile world. Persecution is evidence of being a true child of God. Among those who are perishing, children of God are the aroma of death to death. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life (2 Corinthians 2:14-17) If the World Hates You When believers live without fear in the face of persecution, it serves as a powerful form of evangelism. It further proves the conviction Christians have in Jesus, which should be taken as a warning for those who reject the light we shine as believers. The promise of eternal life in Christ can serve as great courage to us as believers. At the same time, the courage we have often reminds unbelievers of their uncertainty of their own eternal destiny. This in part explains why Christianity spreads so well under persecution. Only true believers claim Christ and suffer for His sake, and true saving faith that is lived out in love, is a powerful testimony to the watching world. When we follow Jesus and aim to live a holy life, it will be inevitable that a sinful people who love the darkness and trust in a corrupt world system will hate us. Jesus Himself told us to expect that. 18 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you (John 15:18-19). The By-Products of Faith Throughout Jesus’ earthly ministry, there were big crowds that followed Him around everywhere. Everyone loved the free food, healings, and miracles that Jesus did. Many thought that Jesus was cool, and He was the talk of the town. Essentially, He was considered the latest fad for many. However, Jesus knew what was in their hearts. He knew that the majority of the crowds only wanted to receive the benefits of what He did, rather than receive Jesus Himself. Many loved His miracles and gifts but not the life He was calling them to – a life of submission and holiness, forsaking themselves and trusting in Him alone. Those who follow Jesus simply for the benefits and by-products of the faith, won’t be able to stick around when trials come. They have head knowledge of Him and they may like Jesus because of what He offers, but they don't have heart knowledge of Him because they don't truly trust Him. Many who have not counted the cost will soon turn away at the idea of having to sacrifice or suffer for Christ. There was a time during Jesus’ earthly ministry when there was no longer free food, and the once cheerful crowds became resentful because Jesus was no longer giving them what their unregenerate, carnal hearts desired. Rather, He was offering them the bread of life (Himself, the Truth incarnate), which people were simply not interested in. He was offering eternal life to anyone who would receive Him, yet most people rejected His offer. “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35). People don't change just because times change. It's still the same today. Most people reject Jesus, and many are self-deceived who say they believe in Jesus but still believe the world's lies, follow the system of this world, and live in unrepentant sin, falsely believing they are secure in Christ. Can't Serve Two Masters "Any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:33) “Renouncing” means we may have to give up something physically, but more so, it means we may have to let go of something emotionally so that what we own no longer owns us. When we become a child of God, we cannot continue to belong to this world and be in bondage to sin, idols, or continue to serve ourselves or serve money. We must make a choice, for we cannot serve two masters. We can’t serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Saved By Grace Through Faith We cannot earn salvation by works, good deeds, or a lifestyle change, for we are saved by grace through faith alone. However, when we wholeheartedly repent and put our trust in Jesus, good fruit and holy living become a natural by-product of true saving faith in Christ and evidence of being born again into His hope. When Jesus is in control of our lives, the results are pure living and evidence of growing in holiness. Although we will stumble at times, God’s grace keeps us from falling away because He has sealed us with His Spirit the instant we believed in Him. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our inheritance in heaven (Ephesians 1:14). And God always completes the work He begins. "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). By His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, God will sanctify us in His Truth. He will grow us in holiness by the Truth of His Word, which will manifest itself in obedience, love, humility, mercy, joy, purity, peace, and persecution from the world. Sanctify them in the truth. Your Word is truth (John 17:17). If we really want to follow Christ, we must first count the cost of following Him. And if we really want to follow Christ, God will give us all the grace we need to live the Christian life and let the light shine for Jesus' sake. His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9). Lord, it is an incredible honor to be one of Your disciples, and it is my life’s mission to share the gospel and the joy of Jesus Christ with everyone! As believers, what a tremendous privilege that we are called to, by Jesus Himself! In fact, it is the highest privilege and calling in the entire universe – sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! In Jesus’ Name, I pray amen. Love, Jenna Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1 John 2:19 Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul. 1 Peter 2:11 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy[a] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14 17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,22 to put off your old self,[f] which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4: 17-24

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. Matthew 7:1-6 The Most Abused Verse in the Bible ​ ​​"Jugde Not" (Matthew 7:1). This verse is frequently misinterpreted to justify one's actions and attitudes. It is commonly used as a shield when confronted about wrongdoing, revealing a reluctance to accept criticism. Such individuals, driven by pride, reject guidance and misuse the phrase "Judge not" to evade responsibility. Many resist correction because they prefer darkness over light, as stated in John 3:19-20. They shun truth to conceal their sins and avoid exposure of their dark deeds, distorting the meaning of 'Judge not' to seek validation (and even praise) for their sinful ways (Philippians 3:19). ​ "Judge Not" Out of Context Misinterpreting this verse is often used as a way to avoid accountability for someone's words or actions. Some individuals use this verse to manipulate others by accusing them of being judgmental. Ironically, the offended party can end up being the one passing judgment by hypocritically criticizing the other person whom they perceive as judgmental. The Scriptures teach that a wise and righteous person welcomes correction and rebuke, while a wicked individual reacts with hostility. The passage warns against trying to correct a mocker, as it will only lead to abuse, but advises that reproving a wise person will be appreciated. Teaching a wise individual will increase their wisdom, and instructing a righteous person will enhance their knowledge (Proverbs 9:7-9). ​ The saying 'Judge not' is frequently accompanied by the popular expression, "Only God can judge." Indeed, only God has the ability to assess someone's intentions as He alone can discern the depths of the heart. Additionally, being a holy God, He abhors sin. While the notion that only God can judge is commonly accepted, what many fail to grasp is the dreadful prospect of facing judgment from God. As stated in Hebrews 10:31, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Although only God can judge the intentions of the heart, believers are instructed by Scripture to make righteous judgments based on a person's actions that are observable. The Bible directs us to discern the spirits to determine if they are of God (1 John 4:1). Jesus cautions us to be cautious of false prophets who appear as harmless as sheep but are actually like wolves (Mat 7:15-20), and He indicates that we can identify them by their actions or fruits. Therefore, exercising theological discernment and making righteous judgments are essential according to these teachings. "Judge Not" In Context In order to interpret 'Judge not' correctly and responsibly, it is essential to consider its proper context within the Bible and view it as part of the complete Scripture. Simply focusing on one verse and disregarding the surrounding text will not lead to a full understanding of God's intended message, which constitutes His revelation. Without grasping the true meaning intended by God, we will lack the divine guidance necessary for our spiritual well-being. When interpreting Scripture, our only entitlement is to interpret it responsibly, as instructed by the Scriptures themselves (2 Timothy 2:15). Therefore, to interpret 'Judge not' responsibly, it is crucial to examine the entirety of Matthew 7 and reference other parts of the Bible as well. Jesus says, "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." (Matthew 7:1-6). Nowhere in this passage does Jesus explicitly state that we should refrain from making any form of judgment. In fact, if that were the case, we would be unable to address someone's errors, missteps, or misconceptions. Guiding individuals towards the correct path, aiding in their comprehension, learning, and fostering wisdom would all be unattainable. Moreover, teaching the truth itself would be impossible without the ability to make judgments, as all these actions necessitate discernment. Truth Told in Love In this passage, Jesus does not forbid us from judging others entirely. Instead, He advises us to address our own sins first. This implies that we should reflect on our own wrongdoings before criticizing others for theirs, so that we avoid hypocrisy. By removing the log from our eye, we can then help our fellow believers by addressing the speck in their eye. Jesus teaches us the importance of righteous judgment, emphasizing the proper approach, motives, and attitude required to help others. According to Scripture, we are instructed to address others about their sins with truth spoken in a spirit of love. This means that we should approach others with gentleness and compassion when discussing their sins. Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently (Galatians 6:1). Speaking the truth in love is the most caring action we can take. It is our responsibility to discern and uphold what is good, right, and true, while also demonstrating love by sharing the truth, even in moments of discomfort. Prioritizing our own comfort or reputation over the truth would be selfish and unloving. Placing our comfort and reputation above the truth would go against the very essence of love. The ultimate goal is to guide people towards the Truth, which is embodied in Jesus (Eph 4:21). Jesus represents the highest, purest, and truest form of wisdom, because He alone saves us from our sins and offers us the free gift of salvation through His finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Only by grace through faith in Jesus Christ do we have eternal life. If we are not supposed to judge anyone at all, then we would not be able to address behaviors like lying, stealing, cheating, blaspheming, committing adultery, or murder, or even telling someone they cannot judge. In reality, all of these situations require us to exercise our judgment. Therefore, Jesus is not instructing us to refrain from judging entirely. Instead, he is guiding us on how to judge, emphasizing the importance of having the right attitude, pure motives, and a gentle spirit. Do Not Give Dogs What is Holy In verse 6, Jesus instructs us not to give valuable teachings to those who show no respect or appreciation for them. This means we should not persist in sharing the message of eternal life with individuals who are resistant, dismissive, or hostile towards it. We are not to keep preaching the gospel to those who disrespect sacred things and even attack us for it. Following this command requires us to use our judgment. When encountering such individuals while sharing the gospel, Jesus advises us to be wise, shake off the dust from our feet, and move on from that place. "If the house is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet." (Matthew 10:13-14) It's not about avoiding arguments for our own benefit, but rather out of consideration for the other person. It can be an act of mercy to refrain from sharing biblical truths with someone who is openly hostile towards them. Persisting in sharing the truth with a stubborn individual may lead them to accumulate more wrath for themselves on the Day of Judgment (Romans 2:5). Choosing to reject the good news of the gospel despite hearing it repeatedly is essentially a way of suppressing the truth, ultimately leading to a harsher judgment. As stated in Luke 12:48, those who acted without knowledge will face a lighter punishment, while those who had more understanding will be held to a higher standard. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more (Luke 12:48). Judge with Righteous Judgement In essence, Jesus instructs us not to judge in a hypocritical, unfair, or condescending manner, especially when it comes to trivial matters. Instead, He encourages us to judge with righteousness, either to assist others or to protect ourselves. Jesus emphasizes the importance of discerning rightly, advising, "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (John 7:24). While Jesus cautions against prideful or harsh judgment rooted in self-righteousness, He urges us to exercise moral and theological discernment when evaluating someone's actions, speech, behavior, and public lifestyle - essentially, the fruit they bear. As stated in Luke 6:45, "The good person brings forth good from the good stored up in their heart, while the evil person brings forth evil from the evil stored up in their heart, for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." Here Jesus warns us about false prophets and how we will recognize them: 15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, you will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7:15-20). Testing the Spirits Jesus warns us about false prophets and instructs us to test the spirits rather than believing every spirit. This requires us to exercise discernment. In 1 John 4:1-6, it emphasizes the need to discern spirits, as not all are from God due to the presence of many false prophets in the world. It is crucial to evaluate individuals not just by their words but also by their actions, as some may claim to know Jesus but their deeds contradict their profession of faith in Him (Titus 1:16). By observing the fruit of their lives (what they produce through observable evidence), we can discern the authenticity of their faith. Christians are encouraged to be cautious without being overly suspicious, avoiding blind trust and instead assessing others based on their consistent actions. Jesus' warning to be vigilant is relevant as false prophets are not always easily identifiable. John warns that many false prophets exist, even within the church community, seeking to deceive believers and lead them astray. Test Like the Bereans Just like the Bereans, we are expected to evaluate the spirits. The Bereans, inhabitants of Berea in Macedonia during Paul's time, were known for their diligent examination of everything in light of Scripture. Their understanding of the Word of God led them to scrutinize teachings and actions against the backdrop of God's truth. The key to making righteous judgments, distinguishing truth from falsehood, and recognizing the difference between right and nearly right, lies in accurately interpreting God's Word. The Bereans serve as an admirable example of how we should respond scripturally to teachings, presentations, or messages from people claiming to believe in Jesus. Ending With the Gospel My goal is always to incorporate the gospel into everything I write. I will conclude this piece with the gospel message: Salvation comes solely by grace, through faith in Christ alone. We must repent of our sins (even embrace the correction of our sins, as those who gently correct us are the ones who care about us). Remember, those who speak the most truth to us are the ones who love us the most. We must believe in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Salvation is not by works; it is a free gift (Eph 2:8-9). We cannot save ourselves or earn salvation by our own good works; Jesus has already accomplished salvation for us through His perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection. All we have to do is repent (turn away from our sins) and put our total trust in Jesus Christ alone. Genuine faith in Christ will naturally result in good deeds (Eph 2:10), and we will be identified as Children of God by our words, actions, conduct, and a transformed life through the power of the Gospel. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God....And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1: 18; 30-31 Ignorance Versus Wisdom ​ Ignorance is the absence of correct knowledge or proper understanding of something. Ignorant individuals are uninformed or unaware. Sometimes, our ignorance stems from not realizing there is information we should know. Other times, it may be a deliberate choice to remain ignorant, known as willful ignorance. What does the Bible say about ignorance? The Lord mercifully cautions us against ignorance: "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you" (Hosea 4:6). This goes beyond a simple lack of information; it is a deliberate refusal of the valuable knowledge that God imparts through His Word. It represents a sinful ignorance driven by pride and choice. While ignorance of worldly matters might be excusable with minimal consequences, willful ignorance regarding spiritual matters is a tragedy with eternal implications. By rejecting the wisdom and knowledge offered in Scripture and through the saving message of the Gospel, we are ultimately rejecting God Himself, leading to eternal damnation due to our willful ignorance. "Ignorance of Scripture is the most dangerous self-inflicted wound." - Dale Partridge. "Satan’s greatest weapon is man’s ignorance of God’s Word." – A.W. Tozer. Wisdom stands in stark contrast to spiritual ignorance, and our primary pursuit should be seeking wisdom (Proverbs 3:13-18). By delving into God's Word, we can exchange our ignorance for genuine wisdom and understanding. God offers wisdom to everyone and generously grants it to those who ask for it (James 1:5). The Scriptures freely provide us with all we need for a life of godliness and purpose (2 Peter 1:3). Through faith in Christ, Scripture equips us with the knowledge necessary to lead a meaningful and abundant life that leads to eternal life. The Lord does not withhold anything we need to know for this life or the next. The Lord is Patient & Merciful God's patience on this side of eternity is evident through His long-suffering nature, granting us the valuable gift of time as part of His common grace. This time allows us to turn away from our sins, embrace Jesus, and receive salvation, escaping eternal damnation by His grace. Despite our reluctance to seek Him in the Scriptures, the Lord generously provides us with numerous chances. As Paul acknowledges, God extended mercy to him even when he was acting in ignorance and unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13). The Lord's patience and mercy endure, even in our deliberate ignorance, as He desires all to repent and have faith in Jesus, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to a saving knowledge in Jesus (2 Peter 3:9). It is comforting and hopeful to know that Jesus is always available to us on this side of eternity, offering His patience and mercy. However, we must not take His patience and mercy for granted. The Lord urges us to seek Him without delay, as today is the day of salvation; now is the favorable time. As it is written, He says that now is the day of salvation. For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2). Since we are uncertain of how much time we have left on this earth, we should not cling to our sins, as we could unexpectedly perish in them at any moment. When confronted with the truth in Jesus, we must not harden our hearts to it (Heb 3:8). Ignoring the truth deliberately now will only make it harder to accept in the future. We cannot ever assume that we will have another opportunity to embrace the truth and be saved; thus, now is the right time to believe! Calling Everyone, Everywhere In Proverbs Chapter One, wisdom is portrayed as a woman calling out in the streets, urging everyone to seek prudence, knowledge, and wisdom. She warns about the dire consequences for those who reject her. Her message is crystal clear, and she invites all to seek her while there is still time on Earth. While sinful temptations are secretive and covert, wisdom is openly available for all to find. She can be found in plain sight and is accessible to all those who seek her. When Scripture tells us to listen, it presents another valuable opportunity to exchange our ignorance for wisdom. In Proverbs 1:20-33, wisdom is personified as someone we can become acquainted with. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul explains that Jesus embodies wisdom from God. "And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption," (1 Corinthians 1:30). True wisdom is attained through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is the highest, purest form of wisdom that exists. He is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30) and the only one who offers us eternal life. Knowing Jesus intimately as our Lord and Savior is possessing genuine wisdom; the highest, purest wisdom there is! ​ The Gospel - True Wisdom The wisdom discovered in the Scriptures surpasses all the wealth in the world (Prov 3:15-17) as it directs us to Jesus Christ, the singular path to salvation and our sole source of hope. There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus told him, I am the path, the truth, and the life. No one can reach the Father except through Me (John 14:6). True wisdom is believing in the Gospel: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary and took on human form as the God-man. Jesus led a sinless life, perfectly obeying His Father's will, even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). He died as the atonement for our sins, fulfilling the judgment and wrath of God, and ultimately conquering death. His final words before dying were, "It is finished" (John 19:30), signifying the completion of His sacrifice for the sins of all who would ever come to believe in Him. By shedding His blood on the cross for us, Jesus fully paid our debt (Ephesians 1:7). He wiped away all our sins (past, present, and future) by nailing them to the cross (Colossians 2:14). After His death and burial, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, offering eternal life to all those who look to Him, by grace through faith. Jesus' resurrection serves as the supreme proof of His divinity, as only God could perform such a miraculous act. Here is the Gospel, the Good News: the most important and vital message one could ever hear. To those who do not believe or choose to ignore, the Gospel of Jesus Christ may seem foolish, but to believers, it represents the wisdom and power of God (1 Cor 1:18-25). The message of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection embodies the highest wisdom there is, as the Gospel itself is the power to eternally redeem all who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ. God's Hidden Wisdom But as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Corinthians 2:9). The verse is often mistakenly thought to be about the marvels of heaven, but it actually pertains to the wisdom that God has readied for those who believe. Essentially, God's truth cannot be grasped through sight or hearing (objective or empirical proof), nor can it be comprehended through emotions, thoughts, or human intellect (subjective or rational deductions). Divine wisdom is concealed and can only be uncovered and comprehended by those who have faith in Jesus. This wisdom from God may seem foolish and even offensive to non-believers. That's because without the presence of the Holy Spirit within, God's wisdom cannot be fully comprehended, trusted, or cherished (1 Corinthians 2:14). True wisdom, given by the Holy Spirit, is exclusively possessed by those who believe in Jesus. Understanding the wisdom from above is a gift of God's grace for believers. Salvation and all its accompanying blessings are entirely bestowed by grace. Salvation, including wisdom, is all a gift. It cannot be earned by our own human efforts. The Lord is the source of all true wisdom. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His teachings flow knowledge and understanding. Proverbs 2:6. For those who have received faith, wisdom, and salvation in Jesus, it is entirely a gift without any opportunity for self-congratulation, but only a reason to boast in the Lord. It's only because of Him that we are in Christ Jesus. And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:22-23 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Prov 9:10). Fear in this context means reverence and awe. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:15-17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 3:15

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned but have not love, I gain nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Dear Lord, Lord, You are the essence of love, and You are all together lovely in every sense of the word. I praise You for who You are! Lord, thank You for having mercy on me, opening my eyes by Your grace, and gifting me with my faith in Jesus Christ, my glorious Lord and loving Savior. One way we know that we belong to You is that we love our brothers and sisters in Christ, our neighbors and enemies. For love is the ultimate mark of a true Christian. It's the love in one’s heart that shows evidence of belonging to Christ. Lord, I would like to recite to You one of the most lovely passages in all Your Word. I praise You for Your Word, Lord. It is my favorite thing in the world. That's because it's You, Jesus. You are the way, the Truth, and the life. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105). Jesus Christ is the Word Incarnate, the Word made flesh, and God is love. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). It's the work of the Holy Spirit within us, not our good works, that gives us the assurance of our salvation. It's putting our trust in Jesus and His work that gives us the Holy Spirit by God's grace, which gives us the security of our salvation. It's the indwelling Holy Spirit that produces good fruit in our lives, yielding to assurance. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13-14). For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:8-10) Security of Salvation Vs Assurance of Salvation The security of a believer's salvation is fixed for eternity and never waivers, and a believer can never lose his or her salvation. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-28). The security of a believer's salvation is solely dependent on Jesus Christ and His work on the cross and resurrection. But assurance of a believer's salvation is a feeling, and it is dependent on how we talk, behave, respond, and live as a Christian. True joy and assurance of salvation is found in our obedience to the Word of God and suffering for the sake of Christ and the gospel. If as a Christian we lose our joy, we don't need to look at our ever-changing circumstances, but we must examine our relationship with the Lord and our obedience to His Word. Whenever we start doubting our salvation, we must examine our obedience, confess and repent of our sins, and then quickly turn our eyes upon Jesus and rest in His love and mercy and what He did for us. And that's where your eyes should remain - on Jesus and His love for you. Fill Our Mind With Truth, & Fix Our Eyes on Jesus When we fill our mind with the hope and joy of Christ and the Truth of His Word, there is no room for sin or lies that lead to doubt or lack of assurance. Assurance of salvation will be restored when we turn our eyes upon Jesus and submit ourselves to Him. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:6-8). Satan knows he can't destroy our souls, but he aims to destroy the joy and peace that we have with Jesus. And one way he tries to steal our joy and peace is by getting believers to doubt our salvation. Filling our minds with Truth and reading His Word daily is how we spiritually grow and mature as believers, and the more Truth we read everyday and fill our minds with, the more assurance we will have. While Satan wants people to empty their minds through Eastern meditation practices, Jesus never tells us to empty our minds but commands us to fill our minds with Scripture. We are to mediate on God's Word, and we are never to meditate by emptying our minds. Emptying our minds is a very dangerous thing to do spiritually, and it's just a free invitation for the devil. but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night (Psalm 1:2). Love is the Evidence We Believe One way we know that the Holy Spirit is at work in our hearts is that we love our brothers and sisters. In First John it says, No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this, we know we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit (1 John 12-13). Since God is love, those who believe in Jesus also demonstrate God’s nature. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). The night before He goes to the cross, Jesus tells us to love one another. By loving one another, we will prove that we are truly His disciples. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35). Love is the evidence we have the Holy Spirit and believe in Jesus. Prophecies, knowledge, and tongues will all pass away, but love will never. Love never ends. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:8-13). Whatever the outside deed is; however extravagant or sacrificial it may be to the world, it is the inside of the deed that counts to Jesus. He sees deep down into the depths of our hearts where our true intentions and motives are, and we cannot hide from the God Almighty. May the truth of our deeds come from a place of humility and sacrificial love and not from pride or selfish gain. May our actions and deeds be that which bring glory to God and not to ourselves to be seen or praised by others. Love Covers a Multitude of Sins May we keep our eyes focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ as our wonderful hope and not ourselves or our own deeds. May we make all sacrifices for His glory, and may the center of everything we do, be with love – love for God and love for others. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Saving faith naturally produces love, and love is the most effectual ingredient in a living faith. Love also promotes deeper faith and commitment because we are more likely to trust in those whom we love. Lord, may we be empowered by love to accomplish all that you call us to do, and may it be love that helps drive us to share the gospel with others. The Word produces faith, and faith produces love, and love produces good fruits, which bears evidence of a true Christian. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Lord, help me to grow with you spiritually through reading Your Word. Also, please give me the grace to be more sensitive to my own fallenness and sin so that I may be quicker to confess it, repent of it, and turn to You in faith, hope, and love. May my obedience of faith be driven by the love I have for you, Jesus. All glory belongs to You, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray amen. Love, Jenna Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins. Proverbs 10:12 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, Hebrews 12:1-2

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 Dear Lord Jesus, Hallelujah! He is risen! All glory belongs to You, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1 Peter 1:3-5). Peace with God Through Faith in Christ The very crux of the work of Jesus in His resurrection is that He gives us a whole new humanity; a whole new nature in Christ! We are redeemed! Through His death and resurrection, we are now restored to the original image of God and who we were before the fall. And now, whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). What a gift it is that God loves us that much! There is nothing greater than to be loved by God, for that is the definition of peace; a peace the world does not know. But we as believers know that peace, for we are made right with God through faith in Christ. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1) By grace through faith in Christ alone, we have been given the blessings of all blessings - eternal life! Jesus has triumphantly swallowed up victory, crushed Satan under His feet, and death shall be no more! I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:50-57). Raised with Jesus Jesus was the very first to be raised, but by no means is He the last! All of us who are found in Christ will share in the glorious resurrection of our bodies too. knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence (2 Corinthians 4:14). And this is our glorious hope, which is at the very heart and soul of the Christian faith. Jesus swallowed up death once and for all, and we are eternally secure in Him! He bore our sins on the cross, took our punishment in full measure as the perfect lamb of God, and in three days He rose again so that by grace through faith we may have everlasting life with our Great God and Savior and all our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are headed for eternal glory in Christ, dear ones. I mean, what could possibly be better than to have peace with God and be loved by Him? Now that's what I call "winning the war." In Jesus, and only in Jesus do we "win the war." It's nothing we could ever do. It's what Christ has already done! And all we have to do is trust Him! God's Story This world, this life - this is not our story. It's not about us. We are not the center of the universe. None of us are; not individually or even collectively. It's all about God. This is His story, and by His grace, we are a part of it! What a tremendous privilege that is! In His story, God saves us in Christ and for the sake of Christ - because He loves us, and it's all for His glory. And what a wonderful part of the story that is! In God's story, we are saved from Him, by Him, and for Him! He is the Hero of the story, and God is the central character. It's the glory of God that lies at the center of the universe, not us, and we were all born for the purpose of bringing God glory in everything we do, especially in believing on His Son, Jesus Christ. When we believe in the Truth of Jesus, which is the wisdom of God and the only way to eternal life and we submit to His Lordship, we bring God more glory than anything else! And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, (1 Corinthians 1:30). Jesus Christ is the Good News From Genesis to Revelation, it becomes evident that the whole Bible is one big unfolding story of God's love, mercy, and saving grace towards sinners in Christ Jesus. Jesus Himself is the gospel. Jesus Christ is the good news, and the gospel is as free as the air we breathe. Jesus Christ is the best news that mankind will ever hear. The gospel is the greatest thing that will ever pass through anyone's ears. Nothing can top the gospel or even hold a candle to it. That's because Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him! (John 14:6). Christ is life itself. Jesus Christ is the Pinnacle of the Bible In the Old Testament, Jesus is predicted. In the Gospels, He is revealed. In Acts, He is preached. In the Epistles, He is explained, and in Revelation He is expected to return! Although Jesus is not literally the entire content of the Bible, He is the core, the essence, and center of it all. Everything in Scripture from Genesis to Revelation points to Christ, His Work on the cross, and His resurrection. Jesus Christ is the pinnacle of the Bible and the good news of what God did to save us from our sins, rescue us from eternal torment, redeem us, and grant us the spectacular and undeserved gift of eternal life through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, by grace through faith. In God's story, He saves us from Himself, by Himself, and for Himself. Hallelujah! Jesus Christ is risen, and He is King, and we belong to Him forever and ever! I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can snatch them out of my hand (John 10:28). All glory belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. Happy Easter everyone! Love, Jenna But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5-6 "He is not here; he has risen!" Luke 24:6-7 Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:34 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 1 Corinthians 6:14 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11). For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 1 Corinthians 15:21 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Romans 6:8-11 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" John 11:25-26 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, Romans 1:4 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Dear Lord, I will be praising You for all eternity for sending Jesus to save me. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Maundy Thursday This week in history are the final days leading up to the biggest turning point in the history of mankind, bringing about the best news the world will ever come to know. The gospel is the greatest news that could ever pass through someone's ears. Jesus will die on a cross for all the sins of all the people who will ever come to believe in Him, in all of human history. And in three days, Jesus will rise again so that by God's grace whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). On Thursday evening, Jesus anticipates the worst death that this world will ever know, mere hours away from Him. Among the terror and foreboding heaviness that weighs upon everyone that night, especially Jesus, the primary focus is not fear or death - but love. Not only is Jesus anticipating the horror of what the Romans and Jews will do to Him physically, but more so what His Father will do to Him spiritually. God will lay on His perfect, blameless Son all the past, present, and future sins ever committed of every single person who would come to faith in Him. Jesus will be punished to the maximum; His precious blood covering every single sinful thought, word, action, and deed that would ever come into existence of those who would come to believe in Him. His Father will pour out and exhaust His holy wrath on Him, and the just requirement of God’s Law will finally be fulfilled, the propitiation and perfect sacrifice for our sins. And all of us who would ever come to believe in Jesus will be set free from the law of sin and death and be given life and peace in Christ. The only way we escape this world alive, is through Christ and through Christ alone. Jesus Christ is Lord to all and Savior to only those who choose to believe in Him. • There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2). Jesus will have defeated death once and for all, and Satan will soon be crushed under His feet. • When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit (John 19:30). On the cross, God treats Jesus as if He committed all of our sins, though He committed none. And God treats us as if we did only the righteous deeds of the sinless Son of God. Believers are made perfect by grace through faith in Christ! Amen! We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, all for God’s glory alone. Praise our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! The Most Powerful Love That Exists Even with the most painful and agonizing event in all of history only hours away, Jesus’ focus is still not on Himself. His focus and attention is on His disciples, on others. The night before Jesus is crucified, He overflows with love for them. It's the type of love that is sacrificial, called Agape. Agape is an unconditional love, the highest form of love and charity, and the most powerful love that exists. It's the type of love God has for us and us for Him. Jesus displays His sacrificial love by comforting His disciples with hope and promises. He comforts them with the promise of divine love, the promise of heaven, the promise that He’s going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s House. Let these words from Jesus and Scriptures also be comforting to you, Christian :) • In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also (John 14:1-3). • Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him (John 14:21). • As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love (John 15:9-10). The Promise of the Holy Spirit Jesus promises that He will supply everything His disciples ask through prayer in His name. He promises that they will never be alone. He gives them the promise of the Holy Spirit, who will be their helper, comforter, and guide in this life; empowering and teaching them all things, bearing witness of Jesus to the whole world. Let these promises speak right now to you too and comfort you, Christian. • And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you (John 14:16-17). • But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (John 14:26). The Promise of Peace Jesus also promises that He will grant them peace; a peace the world does not know; a peace that comes only through the promise of the forgiveness of sins; a peace that only comes through the promise of eternal life by grace through faith; a peace that comes from being right with God. I hope you too feel the peace that surpasses all understanding, the peace that guards your heart and mind in Christ Jesus, the peace that comes only by being made right with God and being loved by God. Peace be with you, Christian. • Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1). • Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27). • And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). The Promise of Bearing Fruit and Being Hated by the World Jesus promises His disciples that they will bear much fruit as believers, and He also promises that as true believers, they will inevitably experience persecution, hatred from the world, and even death for His sake. Dear Christian, may you bear much fruit and so prove to be His disciple. And when you are persecuted for righteousness sake, I pray that you remain steadfast under trial, even counting it all joy. One of the biggest comforts and joys that come from persecution is the assurance of our salvation and that we are truly His. And may you rejoice and be glad when you are reviled, slandered, or persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the gospel, for the sake of boldly proclaiming the Truth, and for bearing the name of Christ. For great is your reward in heaven, Christian! The greater the persecution, the greater your eternal reward. Let that promise from God bring you comfort, strength, and endurance, Christian. • By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples (John 15:8). • I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:5). • If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours (John 15:18-20). • Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12). The Promise of Overcoming Death Jesus promises that they will have trouble in this life. But He also promises them that He will overcome the world and all its hostility and death. He comforts them and tells them not to be troubled or afraid. You mustn't either be troubled or afraid, for Jesus has overcome the world. He gives you eternal life, and you shall never perish. No one can snatch you out of His hand (John 10:28). The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God is also the one who overcomes the world. So, do not be troubled or afraid of anything! When you have Jesus, you have absolutely nothing to fear. If God is for you, who could ever be against you? (Romans 8:31). It's the one who chooses not to believe in Jesus who has everything to fear. • Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me (John 14:1). • I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). • Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5) The Promise of Joy Jesus promises to give them a joy that no one will ever be able to take away. A joy the world knows nothing of. And may you find joy in the obedience to His Word. Just as Jesus showed that His obedience to His Father was the foundation of His joy, when you are obedient to His commandments, you will also experience the same joy, Christian. That's a joy the world knows nothing of, but you do. Finally that evening, Jesus commands His disciples to love one another, as He has loved them - with Agape love, sacrificially. All these promises are given to comfort His disciples on the night before He is going to hang on a cross and experience the worst pain and death the world will ever know. Jesus commands us to love one another in His final and ultimate message to us before going to the cross. Jesus Christ is Love, and all glory belongs to Him forever and ever and ever! "The greatest joy in the world is to know Jesus Christ. The second greatest joy is to make Him known." - Steve Lawson • These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11). • So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you (John 16:22). • This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you (John 15:12-14). My Lord Jesus, eternity will not be long enough to give You the praise You deserve for giving me what I never deserved – the blessings of all blessings – eternal life in You, Jesus Christ my great God and Savior. Jesus, thank you for loving me with the most powerful love there is. There is nothing greater than to be loved by God. And that is the definition of peace. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you (Romans 16:20). Love, Jenna But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. Luke 22:42 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” Matthew 26:26-29 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17c

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6 A Time to Weep, and a Time to Laugh What does sowing a seed mean? It means to plant a seed, to sow a crop, to scatter seed over the earth for the purpose of growth. There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance (Ecclesiastes 3:4). There is a season of sowing and a season of reaping, and there is nothing super fun or glamorous about sowing. Sowing takes hard work, endurance, patience, and faith by God’s grace. And not only is sowing hard work, but there is sometimes heartache and discouragement that accompanies it, especially when it’s a long season of sowing. That season could be a plethora of things, whether it's parenting, schooling, looking for work, building a career or ministry, grieving a loss, going through life’s transitions, or earnestly praying for others to repent and see the light of the gospel. Sowing Produces Reaping As Christians, even when our labor seems to be in vain and our prayers seem to go unheard, our hope must be in the Lord and His perfect timing and will. As His children, we must believe that our hard work and genuine prayers never slip by unnoticed by our loving, Heavenly Father. He is the God almighty, creator of heaven and earth, and there is not one unruly molecule that is out of place in the entire universe. He most certainly takes careful notice and gives full attention to His child's efforts and prayers to Him. To be so loved by God - there is nothing better than that! We must trust in the Lord that in our tears of sowing we will reap shouts of joy through His faithfulness and goodness over our lives. It's not the tears of sowing that produce the joy of reaping, rather it's the act of sowing that produces the reaping, in which we rejoice. And when our tears try to hold us back from sowing, we must remember that joy is coming if we just press on. We can't let our tears keep us from sowing, which is what brings forth the joy. There is a blessed hope when we sow in tears faithfully and wait on the Lord through our seasons of labor. That hope is in who God is and what He’s already done for us on the cross through Jesus Christ, our glorious Lord and Savior. Our hope is in the goodness of God, in the certainty of His grace, blessings, and promises, namely in the promise of all promises - eternal life by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We must keep sowing through our tears, and we must not be surprised that sowing is often hard and labor-some, even heart-breaking at times. However, sowing always precedes reaping. Tears precede joy. Reaping and rejoicing surely follow when the grain finally sprouts from the seed that took work to plant and faith and patience to grow. When we faithfully sow in tears, we have the certainty of the hope that we will reap shouts of joy in God’s perfect timing. A Lifetime of Sowing, An Eternity of Reaping On a grander scale, as Christians we can look at this short life as a lifetime of sowing in tears that will eventually lead to reaping an eternity of joy and laughter. May the certainty of God's promise of eternal life to all those who believe in Christ Jesus keep us sowing faithfully in this life, our eyes fixed on Christ. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). May the hope of heaven keep us faithfully sowing in tears, without giving up or throwing in the towel in this life. May we cling to the promise that one day God will wipe away every tear and death and crying shall be no more (Rev 21:4). One day, we will experience an eternity of reaping in joy that will be unparalleled to anything we’ve ever known in this short lifetime of sowing in tears. Whoever Loves His Life Loses It, Whoever Hates His Life Keeps it for Eternity Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:24-26 Just as a grain of wheat must fall into the earth and die for it to bring forth much harvest, so also Jesus had to die for salvation to come about for many. And this idea of death here doesn’t only apply to Jesus, but it applies to all those who believe in Him. We must die to self (hate and forsake the worldly things – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life), take up our crosses, and forsake our own wills. We must trust in Jesus by submitting to His will if we are to bear much spiritual fruit here on earth and keep our lives for an eternity, reaping eternal joy in Him. When we die to self in this world, which is often hard to do, we can be comforted by God’s eternal promise and blessings, and we can be strengthened by the power of His Spirit working in us. work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Phil 2:13). His grace is sufficient and it's Him who works in us! When we die to self in this life, we are sowing in tears so that we may grow to become more like Christ every day, reaping joy through our obedience to Him. Through suffering for the sake of Christ and the sowing of this lifetime, we will bear much spiritual fruit here on earth and bring forth harvest like a grain of wheat that is sown in tears…which will eventually bring forth shouts of joy for all eternity. Dear Lord Jesus, Help me to live a life faithful to you, submitted to Your Lordship and trusting in You, suffering well for Your sake, knowing that You have blessed me with eternal life by grace through faith in You. May my tears of sowing reap joy and laughter! Lord, I ask that You strengthen me by Your grace through my tears of this lifetime. May I always fix my eyes on Jesus and the light of the gospel, and may You help me to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). May we all go in peace and serve the Lord! All glory belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, forever and ever! In Jesus’ Name, I pray amen. Love, Jenna but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:4-5 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 John Piper on sowing in tears: So, here’s the lesson: When there are simple, straightforward jobs to be done, and you are full of sadness, and tears are flowing easily, go ahead and do the jobs with tears. Be realistic. Say to your tears, “Tears, I feel you. You make me want to quit life. But there is a field to be sown (dishes to be washed, car to be fixed, sermon to be written).” Then say, on the basis of God’s word, “Tears, I know that you will not stay forever. The very fact that I just do my work (tears and all) will in the end bring a harvest of blessing. So, go ahead and flow if you must. But I believe — though I do not yet see it or feel it fully — I believe that the simple work of my sowing will bring sheaves of harvest. And my tears will be turned to joy. - John Piper

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 2 Corinthians 5:11 The Conscience Accuses or Excuses The conscience is a gift to all of mankind. It’s the ability to have self-awareness, to contemplate and weigh our thoughts, feelings, actions, intentions and motives. It’s the soul reflecting upon itself. The conscience is the faculty by which we make moral assessments, sound judgments, and act accordingly on them. It either accuses us of our sins or excuses us in our sins. The conscience can either be our ultimate comforter and supporter as the best friend of a pure and holy heart. Or, it can be a nagging and bothersome voice as the worst enemy of a sinful soul. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them (Romans 2:15). When people quit listening to their conscience is when their behavior and actions become unconscionable. Unfortunately, for those who continue to go against their conscience, it becomes easier to do so over time. In turn, the conscience becomes faulty, seared, and just doesn’t work very well anymore – sometimes to the point of no return, in which God gives people over to their sins. He eventually abandons them to their own greedy, lustful, and prideful desires that they continue to choose. Examples of a Faulty Conscience Here are a couple examples of a faulty conscience: It's kind of like a teenage girl who gets super nervous shoplifting for the first time. She is sensitive to it at first because she has never done it before. Her conscience is screaming at her, trying to save her from doing something that is wrong. However, the second time she does it with a bit more ease, since she got away with it the first time, scot-free. The third time, she feels a bit more bold to steal something of even greater value, and so on and so forth. This goes on until it becomes almost second nature to her, until her conscience grows so dull that it stops warning her altogether, until her entire identity becomes that of a thief. Another example is someone who is a liar. The more he lies, the easier it becomes. The easier it becomes, the bigger the lies. This is until he tells so many lies that his whole life and human existence becomes one big lie. And he becomes sloppy and so convoluted by his own lies that his mask slips right off, eventually exposing the truth for all to see on God's perfect, appointed time. Until he repents by the grace of God or inevitably gets caught, he will continue to lie and hide secrets, while his conscience just gets duller and duller and duller. Once it becomes so dull, it simply can't respond anymore, and there's no going back - except maybe by being exposed or certainly by the grace of God granting him repentance and true saving faith. Only Christ can truly save us from our sins and truly transform our hearts. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light (Luke 8:17). Deadly to Misinform the Conscience See, it is very deadly to misinform the conscience over and over because it gets to the point where it becomes so turned upside down and flipped on its head that people begin to glory in their shame and call evil good and good evil. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things (Philippians 3:19). Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter (Isaiah 5:20). People are then riddled with confusion and debilitated inside their own world of chaos from continuing to go against their conscience. By rejecting the conscience over and over, it's like committing suicide. It's only a matter of time until a person gets so turned upside down by rejecting his conscience, and he loses his mind. There's no coming back once the conscience is obliterated, and that's when God gives people over to their fleshly desires and sins. He abandons them to what they really want. God is so patient and merciful, but He will also allow us to choose what our heart desires in the end. “You see the conscience functions like a skylight, not like a lamp. It doesn’t have a light of its own. It can only let light through. It’s not the source of light. It does not produce its own light. It can only let light into the soul, and therefore it needs to have the right information. Its usefulness is determined by the amount of pure light passing through it. So, a fully functioning conscience then is fully informed by the truth of God’s word.” - John MacArthur The Conscience Needs the Right Information The conscience is not to be misinterpreted as the voice of God. It's not to be equal to the law of God or the Word of God. The conscience is the God-given function and the built-in mechanism of the human soul that helps guide us to what is true, good, and safe for our eternal souls. It's there to help give us a peaceful life and protect our souls from what is eternally harmful and damning. It's to ultimately help lead us in the direction to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved by God's grace. All sane people have knowledge of right and wrong, without it having to be explicitly taught to them. It’s just in the fabric of being human in this world, being created in the image and likeness of God. The conscience is the warning system of the soul, and by nature, it’s built into every single human, not just Christians. A Buddhist, a Muslim, a Hindu, a New Age person, and an Atheist all have a conscience too. Everyone does, no matter what we choose to believe in, listen to, learn, study, follow, trust and obey. And everyone’s conscience works at the highest level of morality that one chooses to follow, live by, or submit to. To be fully effective and to function as God designed, the conscience must be fed the right information since it can’t produce information by itself. If the conscience is to work the way in which God designed it to work, then it must submit to the truest, highest, and purest moral law that exists. And where can we find that? We can find that in the truest, highest, and purest tangible source that exists in this physical realm. And that is the clear, authoritative, sufficient, and infallible Word of God, authored by God and written by men who were internally led by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). Ultimately, the Word of God is the only place where we can truly come to know and love Jesus Christ, who is wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 1:30), and the only One who can save us from the eternal wrath to come and grant us eternal life. He is the way, the Truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). God not only gave us the gift of our conscience, but He also gave us the gift of His Word to fully inform our conscience with His absolute Truth, renew our mind in Scripture, and transform us by the power of the Holy Spirit. God's divine power gave us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), and it's simply a choice we all make in this preparatory life to either reject God's Word, ignore it, diminish it - or read it, know it, trust it, and obey it with joy. This is why it's wise to inform our consciences with the right information - with the absolute Truth of the Word of God, which is loud and explicitly clear to all those who desire to know Him and trust Him. Jesus Christ is the Highest Form of Wisdom Wisdom is personified in Proverbs Chapter One and is described as someone who we can “get to know.” Therefore, the truest, highest, purest knowledge and wisdom that exists is Jesus Christ Himself, found in the Word of God, and found living in the hearts of true Christians. Divine wisdom and spiritual discernment only come through truly knowing Christ and what He did for sinners on the cross by placing our trust in Him as our only hope for eternal life. Knowing Jesus Christ goes far beyond the intellectual realm. Anyone can intellectually know Jesus, understand Scripture intellectually, and even positively agree with the facts of the gospel, intellectually. Many people have head knowledge of Christ, but not everyone has heart knowledge of Christ, in which the Holy Spirit indwells in the hearts of true Christians, guides us in paths of righteousness for His name's sake, and transforms our lives through the process of sanctification. Truly knowing Christ in our hearts gives us a healthy fear of the Lord, and that's where all true wisdom originates. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). Once we repent of our sins and believe in the gospel; trusting in the person and work of Christ alone, our consciences then officially come under the truest, highest, purest moral law that exists: Jesus Christ - the wisdom of God, Lord to all, and Savior to all who believe and receive Him. By trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, Christians are gifted the Holy Spirit who is our teacher and guide. He gives us spiritual discernment and helps us understand, love, and interpret the Word of God accurately, which helps keep us on the path of righteousness for His name’s sake...ultimately leading us to eternal life by His grace. God gave us the conscience to help us navigate this world safely and wisely, and He also gave us the freedom of choice to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ and be saved. When we choose to obey His command to believe in the sacrifice of His Son, we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:13-14). And the instant we are justified by grace through faith and sealed with the Holy Spirit, we can never lose our salvation. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (Romans 8:30). Subject the Conscience to the Word of God It's so important to subject the conscience to God's Truth and to the teaching of Scripture. When we digest and internalize the Word of God on a daily basis, the conscience becomes sharper over time, more focused, and more equipped for this world to then be able to respond accordingly and reliably. A faulty or dulled conscience is a great barrier to our spiritual growth. It's a huge hindrance. But a sharp and effective conscience, renewed by the the Word of God, is a trustworthy and powerful helper and friend in our personal walk with Jesus. A mind renewed in God's Truth helps us discern better what God's perfect will is for our lives, so that we may do the will of God and carry out our God-given purpose to glorify Him. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven (Matthew 7:21). Knowing the will of God begins in knowing the Word of God. Do not be conformed with the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:9-11). A Fallen Conscience Strengthened by Grace Since we are part of a fallen world, our consciences are fallen too. In First Corinthians 4:4-5, Paul says, For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. Paul is saying that even when he knows he is not doing anything wrong or has anything against himself, he is still not justified by his own conscience. That's because our own conscience is just as fallen as the rest of us. And so, it could never be the final determiner of anyone's true spiritual condition. However, no matter how flawed we are by the curse, conscience and all, it's the best we have. And when we rely on the grace of God, when we subject our conscience to His Truth, when we renew our minds in His Word daily, and when we as Christians have the power of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, the conscience is still very capable of choosing that which is good, right, and true - ultimately bringing glory to God. All glory belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, forever and ever. Love, Jenna They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. But that is not the way you learned Christ!— assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:17-24 keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 1 Timothy 1:19 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:5 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, Romans 9:1 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12-13 And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 Dear Lord Jesus, I come to you today to pray for the people of Ukraine and Russia who have been greatly impacted by the horror and trauma of this terrible war. Jesus, I pray for Your mighty protection and comfort over our dear brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine and for everyone who has yet to repent of their sins and see the light of the gospel - and be given eternal life in You. I also pray for all the children who are seeing things their eyes should never see. Lord, as a great King and Healer, may You protect them, guard them, and shield their eyes, ears, minds, and imaginations to the horrific realities of war. By whatever means You choose to display Your grace, may You send mighty angels, loving parents, good samaritans, the direct work of Your Holy Spirit, or believers in Christ to help shield the children and keep them out of harm’s way. I pray for You to pour out Your abundant grace to cover and protect all the children in this war. And may You give the grace to reunite lost children to their parents. May You safely guide them back into their loving arms, as You carry them all in the palm of Your hand - where no one can snatch them out. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand (John 10:27-28). Lord, no matter how dark and hopeless this war becomes here on earth, I beg for Your mercy on the behalf of those who still need You for eternal life - to shine a glorious light and bring a miraculous hope that is above and beyond this dark and evil world, one that is eternal. Through the darkness of this war, may the light of the gospel shine even brighter and spread even farther to bring comfort and internal peace to those who are in Christ, as well as a glorious newfound hope to those who still need the way, the Truth, and the life - Jesus Christ, who is Lord to all in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and Savior to all who believe and put their trust in Him. The greatest act of mercy You perform is giving the gift of faith by Your amazing grace. I pray for Your mercy and for the miracle of salvation through Christ to be working its way through this terrible war, embracing the souls that You sovereignly choose, all in Your perfect ways and impeccable timing. In the midst of hell on earth, may You give our brothers and sisters the courage they need as they hang on to the eternal hope in You. Lord if it is your will, I pray that You protect and shield our dear brothers and sisters from physical harm, give them relief, healing, comfort, and guard them from suffering even more loss than they already have. May You guard their hearts and minds in You, Jesus. And may they keep their eyes on You. You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock (Isaiah 26:3-4). I pray for Your divine sovereignty to bring a supernatural peace to our brothers and sisters, knowing that You, Lord, are in total control. May You give them the supernatural grace and the fearlessness to continue to spread the light of the gospel into the lives of those who still need You. Lord, I ask that You give them courage, strength, and hope to continue trusting in You through this darkness and despair, clinging to Jesus and never letting go – their blessed and glorious hope of pure truth, joy, peace, love, and eternal life. Lord, please bring an end to this war soon, if this is Your will. And if it is, I pray that Your will be done!! The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, (Psalm 27:1-4). All glory belongs to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name I pray amen. Love, Jenna I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility. Ephesians 2:14 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father's Son, in truth and love. 2 John 1:3 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2-3 Dear Lord Jesus, I am blessed to be chosen by Your saving grace. Not only does Your grace save me, but Your grace helps me to rejoice in my sufferings, knowing that I am saved. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5). Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I’ll be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior (Isaiah 43:1-3). Lord, I know You don't promise that there won’t be any waters, rivers, or fires for Your children. But what You do promise me is that You will be there when I go through them, and Your grace will be poured out onto me abundantly so that I may endure them. The grace of our Lord was poured on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:14). Lord, I praise You for Your grace, faithfulness, and love through Your beloved Son, Jesus. The Cornerstone of the Christian Life Here is something important to understand about the Christian life. This is the cornerstone of Christian living, and it is simply this: I will have trouble, and I will inevitably suffer for the sake of Christ. In the Christian life, trouble is inescapable, yet it is also purposeful and very useful. The troubles in my life often time serve far greater purposes than I am able to fully comprehend now; reasons beyond my scope and finite mind. Trials and suffering in the Christian life are to prepare me for the bulk of the rest of my existence and ultimately - to bring glory to God. On the other side of eternity, the troubles that I face now will soon be revealed and more clearly understood then, compounding the joy I will have for all eternity. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18). That is why God commands me to rejoice in my sufferings because I trust in God’s promises, and I believe in God’s plan and goodness for my life, no matter what turmoil or chaos may be surrounding me. He has His purposes for it, and I trust Him, which brings me peace and joy in the midst of them. Even if I must wait for the next life to see the fullness of God’s goodness be revealed to me, I must walk by faith now and not by sight. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). Troubles are also very useful because they help prove the evidence of my faith and give me assurance of my salvation. They help reveal my true spiritual condition, humble me, and strengthen my intimacy and personal relationship with Jesus. My sufferings in this life allow God to put His attributes on display and showcase His amazing grace through them, in which I praise Him for who He is. Ultimately, it's to bring Him glory. And when God puts His grace on display in my life through my suffering, I am also able to point others to the glory of God in the face of Christ so that others too can see the light of the gospel and be saved. See, this is God's story, not mine. This life is all about God and His glory, and it's simply not about me. However, by His grace I am blessed beyond measure to be chosen for His kingdom and be a part of His story. Sufficient Grace to Suffer for Christ God does not promise to remove trouble in my life, but He does promise to give me enough of His grace to endure it. Second Corinthians 12:9 says, But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you. The word sufficient means enough. I will have enough grace for whatever troubles I may face, so I am never to be fearful, for I know the surpassing grace of God has been given to me (2 Corinthians 9:14). As a true Christian, I am to expect persecution for Christ, trouble, difficulty, temptation, setbacks, disappointment, and pain in this life. But I am also to trust that God’s grace is sufficient for me, and He will help me to endure it and ultimately, overcome it all. This is because Christ overcame the world when He defeated death once and for all on the cross, and by grace through faith, I am eternally secure in Him. I have said these things to you, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world (John 16:33). I am called to suffer for the sake of Christ, since He suffered greatly for me throughout His life, and He suffered the ultimate death in order to save me from my sins. How could I not suffer well for the One who died for me? And furthermore, my sufferings could never even begin to compare to what Christ had suffered for me, in my place. I am to follow in His footsteps and suffer well for my Lord and Savior. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps (1 Peter 2:21). For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake (Philippians 1:29). The Modern-Day False Gospel God never promises to take away trials and suffering in the life of a Christian. See, that is the modern-day gospel that runs rampant in the false church. In the seeker-sensitive movement of today's world, which appeals to the unbelieving world and the carnal mind, many false pastors preach that God wants everyone happy, carefree, healthy, comfortable, earthly blessed, and rich. This damning and deceptive message takes the exact things I am supposed to give up to follow Christ and makes them the very attraction of the gospel itself. This dangerous gospel gives the carnal mind what it already wants in its unregenerate, depraved state, and in turn, produces false conversions all over the map; lost people who are self-deceived by counterfeit Christianity and aren't able to comprehend the gravity of what it truly means to be born again and have authentic saving faith in Christ. Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again" (John 3:3). The most responsible thing any professing Christian could ever do in this life is examine to make sure he or she is truly in the faith, based off the Word of God and not based off their own feelings or finite mind on what they think faith means to them personally. Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered (Proverbs 28:26). (Read the book of First John to examine your faith biblically to make sure you're resting eternally secure in Christ). God’s purposes are not for your life to be easy and comfortable, successful and prosperous, or healthy and wealthy like so many false pastors preach in their mega churches. In reality, that's the devil's desires for you. That's because Satan's underlying motives have nothing to do with your true joy and peace, but everything to do with deceiving you and keeping you from Jesus Christ, the only source of true joy and peace. It’s the devil who would like to make your life happy, prosperous, successful, comfortable, easy, and tranquil. That's because when you are comfortable right where you’re at, you don't feel the need to repent of your sins; you don’t feel the need to call on God; you don't feel the need to lean on God; you don't feel the need to cry out to God to relieve your burdens, nor do you feel the need to thank Him for His grace to endure them. God's Message Versus the Devil's Message The prosperity message is the devil’s message, and it's all about serving self and the elevation of self, which is rooted in pride. And pride is the root of all sin. The devil calls for us to seek the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, the pride of life - things that are all passing away quickly in this short life. God’s message is a message of suffering and grace. God calls for us to seek the things that are above, not the things on the earth (Colossians 3:2). This life is short and eternity is long, and so it is only reasonable that we live this short life in the light of eternity. God commands us to focus on that which is eternal, as opposed to that which is fleeting and temporal (2 Corinthians 4:18). God calls us to be humble, for humility is the essence of Christianity and the foundation of true saving faith in Christ, in which all other virtues flow. For example, humility produces joy from the thought of Jesus Christ dying for my sins when I know I deserve hell. Knowing that I am an undeserving, unworthy person who has been given such a tremendous gift gives me so much joy! And that joy is pure and constant. I rejoice not in who I am and what I think I deserve in this world, but I rejoice in who God is, how magnificent He is, and what He did for me on the cross, when I know I only deserve His eternal wrath. Biblical Christianity, true Christianity is diametrically opposed to what the world is always telling us, and that's why true Christians look like aliens in this world. For we are listening to Jesus and not the world. The world glorifies, elevates, and focuses on self, but Jesus says, "Deny yourself" And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23). And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple (Luke 14:27). We will do well to listen to Jesus (especially when He repeats Himself), rather than listening to the world and all its deceiving messages that get us to focus on ourselves over Christ - our only hope, for He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Humility Generates Joy The attitude of humility and a sense of unworthiness naturally generates true joy, in which I don't demand things from God with the belief that I am deserving, but I humbly receive things from God with delight and gratitude, knowing I am undeserving. My joy is lost whenever I begin to think that I am too good to be suffering, that I don't deserve to suffer or have trouble in my life, or when I begin to question, "Why me?" See, this is the perspective of so many lost people in this world, but it is the wrong perspective to have if one is searching for true joy and peace. Holding onto this perspective is blinding and would only cause more grief amongst trials. A perspective like this would only get me to focus on myself and take my eyes off the only source of true joy and peace that exists, and that is Jesus Christ. True joy comes from fully recognizing what Christ has done for me and knowing that unlike my ever-changing circumstances and feelings, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). If as a Christian I lose my joy, I need not to look at my circumstances, but I need to examine my relationship with the Lord and my obedience to His Word. See, Jesus never changes, so my joy in Him and what He did for me, is rooted in His unshakeable foundation. Grounded in humility, joy is the ultimate confidence that God is in complete control of my life, including the various trials and sufferings that He calls me to face all for His glory. The purpose He has in my trials and sufferings are for my good. I know that because I trust His Word and His goodness for my life, and I don't lean on my own understanding. For we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7) Lord, I praise You for using suffering as a tool to humble me and exalt You instead, increasing my joy and gratitude in You. Lord, I praise You for using suffering as a tool to call me into closer intimacy and communion with You, growing in my faith and obedience to You. I praise You for using suffering to take refuge in You, to trust in You more deeply, and to put Your grace and love on display so that through my suffering I may help point others to the light of the gospel; to You, my gracious and glorious Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. All glory belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Help me to suffer well for You and bring You glory in everything I do, say, and think. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen. Love, Jenna PS. To read part two of this devotion, check out: Count it All Joy Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. 1 Peter 4:12-16 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:6-11 All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. 1 Peter 1:24