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We are a few days into 2025, and many Christians have made resolutions. By now, we may have broken many of them.

Every Christian recognizes that there are important stages of life. The terms Christians use to describe these important moments are justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is “an act of God whereby He pronounces us righteous because of our faith in Jesus.

Sanctification is “the PROCESS by which Christians are set apart for God by which Christians are made HOLY” (2 PETER 3:18).

We are SANCTIFIED as we grow in HOLINESS through the work of the HOLY Spirit (Ephesians 4:11-32; Galatians 5:16-24). We are forever justified, we are being SANCTIFIED, and we will be glorified (1 Corinthians 6:11).

Jesus will hold us accountable for our sanctification process. Our rewards in heaven will be based on our sanctification process. What are you doing in 2025 to become more like Jesus (sanctification process). 

Are you going to follow Jesus in 2025 or ask Jesus to follow you.

Praise God always 

Dave

Go to GotQuestions.org and search for: “How are justification, sanctification, and glorification related?” Also, “What is progressive sanctification?” 

Sanctified Shadows ~ A Christian Country Gospel Song  Holy Harmonies

Sanctuary – worship video with lyrics.wmv  allfords4me1

When I walk, I walk slow. But I never walk backwards.” — Abraham Lincoln

You get the power to fulfill your calling in private (prayer, study, fasting, suffering), not in public. It is easy to focus on public ministry instead of private.

Some scholars say, “Solomon asked for wisdom,” but the text translates that he asked for a “listening heart.” In turn, God gave him the result of a listening heart: wisdom

“Give your servant therefore a listening heart to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil.”
1Kings 3:9

And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, ….I give you a wise and discerning mind.”
I Kings 3:12

“Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” — Jesus
Mt. 20:25

Good morning as you learn the first step in leading is serving

Johnny
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he
Pro 23:7

Hillsong United – Lead Me To The Cross with Lyrics – New Beginnings LAX

I NEED THEE EVERY HOUR by Fernando Ortega – lindsaygillespiw

My friend Mary S. From Grand Rapids and Naples shared this on New Year’s Day.  Too good not to pass along…

As The Chapter Closes…author unknown to me

…As we stand at the threshold of another year’s end, our hearts hold both shadows and light. 2024 brought us moments that tested our strength, taught us resilience, and showed us who truly stands beside us when storms gather.

To those we lost – your absence echoes in the quiet moments, but your love continues to guide us forward. To the challenges that brought us to our knees – thank you for showing us we are stronger than we knew.

Some of us carry scars that the world cannot see, fought battles in silence, and found courage in the darkest hours. Yet here we stand, breathing, hoping, dreaming still. Tonight, we release the weight of what was, honoring both our tears and triumphs. They have shaped us, but they do not define our tomorrow.

As the sun sets on this chapter, we gather our hopes like stars, ready to paint them across a fresh canvas. Tomorrow brings not just a new year, but a chance to begin again – wiser, braver, and more grateful for each breath we share.

To 2024 – thank you for your lessons. To 2025 – we step toward you with open hearts, ready to write new stories of love, healing, and possibility.

May we all find peace in letting go and courage in beginning anew.

Happy New Year! 💝

MORNING HAS BROKEN – Cat Stevens (Lyrics) – Rachel Reyes

We are spiritual beings here to have a human experience.

Stay in shape.  Exercise your spiritual muscles …

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Have a great week and keep your spirits high.

Hugs,  Bill

“It is more important to influence people than to impress them.” 

Adrian Rogers

God made mankind to be physical, mental, and spiritual .

We IMPRESS people by our physical prowness such as athletic skills and creative talents as well as with those with exceptional mental abilities. 

However, we INFLUENCE people with our SPIRIT!

Our Spirit will always be our greatest strength.

We have limited control of our physical and mental gifts, whereas we have unlimited control over our spirit through the indwelling Holy Spirit.

“Then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the BREATH OF LIFE.”

Gen 2:7

The ” Breath of Life” is referred to in the Bible as our spirit. 

Good morning as you strive to live in the Spirit. 

Johnny

“As. Man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Pro 23:7

Vertical Worship – Spirit of the Living God (Music Video)

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Rom 12:12

Attitude + Actions = Outcomes

Paul gives us a perfect formula for life that we have total control over:

1. Joyful in Hope 

         * See yourself as the Victor; not the Victim

2. Patient in Affliction 

           * “Though there be tears of the

                night, there will be joy in the 

                morning.”

            * “And this too shall pass!”

    3.  Faithful in Prayer

             *”Pray without ceasing”

Paul tells us in Phil 4:8-10 how to implement the above:

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, THINK about these things. What you have LEARNED and RECEIVED and HEARD and SEEN in me—PRACTICE these things, and the GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU.”

Good morning as you incorporate the attitude of Christ into your actions today in order for God to reveal His Glory

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he

Pro 23:7

Through It All – Hillsong Worship

“Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

John 18:37

Lee Strobel in “A case for Christ”, accurately depicted Jesus’ not revealing his deity early in His ministry.    John, in his writings, cited Jesus as the “I am”, which is how God was referred to in the Old Testament. 

Jesus wanted the people to follow him in Spirit rather than power. Jesus did not desire an earthly kingdom but a kingdom in Heaven where we can live eternally. 

Jesus told Pilate,”my kingdom is not of this world”!

We each have to declare Jesus as OUR KING!

🎵Jesus, you are my king🎶

Good morning as you sing praise to the “King of Kings and Lord of Lords”

( That is a beautiful sound in the shower!)

Johnny

“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”

Pro 23:7

You Are my King / Amazing Love Chris Tomlin  glennavandrunen

CeCe Winans – That’s My King (Official Video)

“The most influential people in my life will never show up on a Google search.”
Colin Powell

We can each name a handful of noted theologians acclaimed throughout history.

Martin Luther, Pope Paul, Mother Teresa, Billy Graham. John Wesley, Adrian Rogers and David Jeremiah along with Martin Luther King, Jr. come to mind. You name your list of notables.

Now make your list of Christ’s ” foot soldiers ” who have shaped your life.

You are a beneficiary of being under their “sphere of influence.”

Here is the beauty of Christianity; you have a “sphere of influence” too!

Remember, Jesus’ final words to the disciples before ascending into the clouds after his resurrection and return,
“You will be my WITNESSES in all the earth”. Acts 1:8

Note: Our “witness” is our “Sphere of Influence”! Paul told us all we need to know in Gal 5:22
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control”

Good morning as we expand our “sphere of influence” in the New Year!

Have a Spirituously Prosperous New Year!

Johnny
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he”
Pro 23:7

AULD LANG SYNE by Sissel

The second coming of Jesus is referenced to in over 1,500 passages in the Old Testament and one out of every 25 verses in the New Testament.

The return of Jesus brings about what is referred to as the kingdom of God. Jesus ushers in two different judgments, two different resurrection, and two different eternities.

When Jesus returns He will establish His Kingdom on earth, He will first set up a judgment for those who are still alive after the tribulation and who are on earth at the time of the second coming (Matthew 25:31-46). Those who survive this judgment will remain on earth and enjoy a time of peace and prosperity with Jesus for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6).

On Jesus’ return, He will usher in two different eternities–one with God and one without God. Evil is defeated, the earth is restored, and God wins.

Are you prepared for Jesus’ second coming?

Praise God always.

Dave

Search gotquestions.org for: “What will happen when Jesus returns/comes back?” Also, “What is the Second Coming of Jesus Christ?” Also, “What is the purpose of the thousand-year reign of Christ?” Also, “What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?”

Coming Soon | Grand Old Theater | Redeemed Quartet | Official Music Video

Gaither Vocal Band – The King Is Coming [Live]

“The hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.”
John 4:21,23

Our local newspaper journalist coaxed our 4 th grade son in writing a paper for which he received state recognition. In the training, our journalist said every good story speaks to ” who, what, when, and where?”

Jesus told the “perfect” story to the Samaritan woman at the well.
• WHO: Jesus said ,”I who speak to you am he.” (GOD the FATHER)John 4:26
• WHAT:”True worshipers will WORSHIP THE FATHER.”John 4:23
• When:”But the HOUR IS COMING AND IS NOW HERE” John 4:23
• Where: Wherever you are and NOT IN THE TEMPLE!

Our contemporary “worship” has conditioned us to call “worship” at the
“designated” appointed time to assemble.
This isn’t exactly what Jesus referred to as “worship “!

Good Morning as you worship the Holy Father right where you are in SPIRIT and TRUTH.

Johnny
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he
Pro 23:7

“Wherever I Am” by Shara McKee video

Woman At The Well – Olivia Lane (Official Music Video)

Sunday December 29th.

Go Tell It On The Mountain 

We have celebrated the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  As Christians we are asked in many scriptures to share the story of His Life with others.

Here are a few verses:

1. Matthew 28:19-20 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”13
2. Mark 16:15 – “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation”
3. Acts 1:8 – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth”
4. Isaiah 49:6 – “I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth”
5. Colossians 3:16 – “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom”

Have a great week as you tell Christ’s story.  

Bill

Dolly Parton – Go Tell It On The Mountain (Xmas Special)