--JESUS, OUR PERFECT HOPE~~
--(Charles F. Stanley)

-"We have come to know and have believed
the love which God has for us."
--(1 JOHN 4:16)--

~~~HIS LOVE ~~~

--Read today's verse again. We know and believe God's love. Do you realize the incredible love the Father has for you? Many times, our perception of love may be marred because of our past experiences--we may think of it as conditional, having unsustainable requirements, being easily lost, or even a tool of manipulation.

Yet, John painted a different picture: "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him" (1 John 4:9 NLT). His is not unattainable or pain-causing love. Rather, the Cross is the ultimate expression of God's care--it is unconditional, generous, healing, and always seeking the best for you.

Friend, you don't have to be afraid of God's attitude toward you even when you face difficult circumstances. What's crucial is that you know and believe that He loves you in increasing measure. Because when you do, you realize that everything that touches your life must first pass through His loving purposes for you, and that even the challenges are sent for your good (Romans 8:28-39).

-"Lord Jesus, help me to embrace Your perfect love and love You more in return. Help me, Lord to look to You in all circumstances. You are my Rock, Fortress, and Deliverer. Lord, You are my Hope, in whom I trust. ~ Amen"

--MY HOPE IS IN JESUS BECAUSE HE LOVES ME UNCONDITIONALLY!
------------

---DESTROYING THE SHROUD~~

--"[God] will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples."
--(Isaiah 25:7)--

--Please Read/ -ISAIAH 25:1–9

A brutal car wreck devastated Mary Ann Franco. Though she survived, the injuries left her completely blind. “All I could see was blackness,” Franco explained. Twenty-one years later, she injured her back in a fall. After waking from surgery (which had nothing to do with her eyes), miraculously, her sight had returned! For the first time in more than two decades, Franco saw her daughter’s face. The neurosurgeon insisted there was no scientific explanation for her restored vision. The darkness that seemed so final gave way to beauty and light.

The Scriptures, as well as our experience, tell us that a shroud of ignorance and evil covers the world, blinding all of us to God’s love (Isaiah 25:7). Selfishness and greed, our self-sufficiency, our lust for power—all these compulsions obscure our vision, making us unable to clearly see the God who “in perfect faithfulness [has] done wonderful things” (v. 1).

One translation calls this blinding shroud a “cloud of gloom” (NLT). Left to ourselves, we experience only darkness, confusion, and despair. We often feel trapped—groping and stumbling, unable to see our way forward. Thankfully, Isaiah promises that God will ultimately “destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples” (v. 7).

God will not leave us hopeless. His radiant love removes whatever blinds us, surprising us with a beautiful vision of a good life and abundant grace.

--ODB/WC

"LORD G-D, the gloom is everywhere these days.. It’s so difficult to see Your truth and love. Will You help me? I’m hopeless without You. Thank You, in Jesus Name."

---HE SEES YOU~~

--"How do you know me?" Nathanael asked.
Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were
under the fig tree."
--(John 1:48/ NIV)--

-Jesus sees you--the real you. If you've ever felt that people don't truly understand who you are or what's in your heart, then know for certain there's One who does.

This may be surprising to you. It certainly was to Nathanael. John 1:47 reports Jesus saw Nathanael and said, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!" This was astounding to Nathanael because Jesus saw him under the fig tree. We are never told what Nathanael was doing there, but apparently, he was having a holy moment--one only observed by Heaven. We know this because of Nathanael's response: "You are the Son of God!" (v.49) Nathanael recognized that Jesus saw his inmost being--his heart laid bare.

Jesus sees your inmost being as well. Regardless of how others treat you, you never have to feel unloved, unrecognized, or even invisible because your Savior sees you--your past, present, and future. Jesus knows your hopes, thoughts, fears, struggles, and wounds. And He loves you deeply. So trust that you matter to Him and that He leads you in the best way forward. ~~

--"Lord Jesus, thank You for seeing, loving, and providing for me.~ Amen"

--MY HOPE IS IN JESUS BECAUSE HE KNOWS ME FULLY AND LOVES ME COMPLETELY. ~~
--'Jesus, Our Perfect Hope'/ CS--"Hope For the Hopeless" / Sierra ~ <https://youtu.be/WjQ9cF36EWc>
-----------

--THREE R'S and The Christian Hope

-(Please Read/ 1 PETER Chapter 1)

“Who by Him [Christ], do believe in God, that raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God”
----- (I Peter 1:21).--

--IN THE first chapter of Peter’s first epistle are three beautiful references to our blessed hope in Christ. Our hope finds its birth in the resurrection of Christ, its fulfillment in the revelation of Christ, and its eternal assurance in the redemption of Christ.

First of all, we note that He has “begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3). We “were dead in trespasses and sins . . . having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:1,12), but then the Lord Jesus Christ “was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification,” so that now we can “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 4:25; 5:2).

In this present life, secondly, we must seek to live in the light of His grace, and then “hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:13). We already know His grace in salvation, but then we shall know the exceeding riches of His grace, and “every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure” (I John 3:3).

Finally, we know that we “were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold. . . . But with the precious blood of Christ . . . foreordained before the foundation of the world . . . that your faith and hope might be in God” (I Peter 1:18–21). “By His own blood” He has “obtained eternal redemption for us,” and this glorious “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast” (Hebrews 9:12; 6:19). Redeemed, revealed, and resurrected—by Him we believe in God, with faith and hope. ~~
--ICR/HMM~--"I Will Sing of My Redeemer" --/ Selah & BarlowGirl ~<https://youtu.be/uOkiyz7vlHg>
---------------

--DECIDE TO BELIEVE!

--"Did I not say to you that if you believe,
you will see the glory of God?"
--(John 11:40)

--THERE MAY BE times when your struggles are so overwhelming that you'll pray, "Lord, I just can't do this anymore--not one more day, hour, second." It may be the emotional pain that has you devastated. Or perhaps the toll on your body is too much to handle. Or maybe you've just gone too long without a glimpse that God will make a way for you. If that's where you are today, I can honestly say I know how you feel. We all have felt that way at some point.

However, I can also confirm that Jesus consistently used those times to stretch my faith--just as He is doing with yours now. And no matter how impossible the situation, He always came through for me. He will for you too. But if you want to make it through the next day, hour, or minute, you've got to get your focus on what He can do. You must decide in your heart you will trust Him. Because when you do, He will comfort you with a peace that transcends understanding. ~~

--"Jesus, help me see You and love You more so I can trust You more deeply--even when things are at their worst. You have said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. Thank You, Lord Jesus, You are always with me and inside of me, so I can shine for Your glory. It is in Your name I pray. Amen~~"

--MY HOPE IS IN JESUS BECAUSE HE ALWAYS COMES THROUGH FOR ME. ~~
--'Jesus, Our Perfect Hope'/ CS~~ --(OSLO GOSPEL CHURCH)="Open The Eyes of My Heart" -/<https://youtu.be/1Hrh4lMgn-g>
-------

---SECURE HOPE~~

--"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) --

---Everyone needs hope. Hope is not just the determination to get your way or a refusal to quit or the drive to complete your agenda. Our hope is not linked to our circumstances or the people around us or even our own ability.

Our hope is secured by the faithfulness of Almighty God, who says, "I have a plan for you." Hope says, "I will live out the promises of God. They will define my future. If God says I'm forgiven, I'm forgiven. If God says I'm cleansed, I'm cleansed. If God has given me this assignment, I can see this assignment through." Let God's promises inspire the hope in your life. Your circumstances may be difficult, but Almighty God cares about who you are. If you'll allow Him, His promises will bring hope to you. ~~

--"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
--(Romans 15:13)~~

-"Heavenly Father, I am so grateful that You love me so much that You have designed a plan that is perfect for my life. Even when I have veered from Your purposes and gone my own way, You have been there to pull me back in and love me in spite of my willfulness. Holy Spirit, help me to discern God's plans for my life because I want to be a part of Your purposes in the earth. In the name of Jesus, amen."

--Turn Up The Light/GAJ~~
["Be still And Know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the Earth." --(Psalm 46:10)]
----"STILL"/ Hillsong United ~~ -<https://youtu.be/4n01-5SQFa8>
-------------------

--INFLUENCE IN THE LIMITATIONS~~

-"He who began a good work in you will
perfect (complete), it until the day of
Christ Jesus."
----(Philippians 1:6)

--YOU HAVE NO IDEA how God is working through you--even in your limitations. Consider Paul and his time in a Roman jail. Certainly, anyone in his situation would feel as if his or her time for effective service had come to an end. Yet during those prison years, Paul wrote the letters that would become such an important part of our New Testament. Do you think Paul knew that those epistles would continue to transform people's lives two thousand years later? Yet, God had a greater plan that the apostle could have imagined.

You may feel limited in your service to God, but there's no way to know how many people you are influencing through your obedience to Him--who is watching, listening, or learning from you, or how they'll affect the world.

But always keep this in mind: every person impacts history in some way--either for God or for the enemy. What you do lives on in the lives of others. So make sure you are seeking the Lord daily and that you're obeying all He calls you to do. Because the good you do in His name continues to bear fruit in eternity.

--"Lord Jesus, thank You for working through me, even when I feel limited. Help me to live my life for Your glory. amen~"

--My hope is in Jesus because He brings eternal fruit form my obedience. ~~

--Jesus, Our Perfect Hope/CS ~~ --"God of All My Days"--/Casting Crowns ~~ <https://youtu.be/RocPcgqCDE0>
~~~~~~~~~~~

--THINK ABOUT HIM~~

--"Whatever is true,...honorable,...right,...
pure,...lovely,..of good repute, if there
is any excellence and if anything
worthy of praise, dwell on these things."
--(Philippians 4:8)
--Through Scripture, the Holy Spirit cleans out the thoughts that no longer fit who you are as a believer. But perhaps you're wondering, 'What should I be thinking about?'

The apostle Paul gave you the answer: "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth" (Colossians 3:2). Focus on what matters in eternity and what will give your life the greatest meaning and fruitfulness here on earth. And nothing will help you more than thinking about Jesus and His example.

At the start of each day, ask Christ to reveal Himself more to you and live His life through you. Declare your desire to walk according to His ways. Likewise, think about how He would respond to every situation you encounter. Stop dwelling on the negative ways of the world--the what-ifs and the worst-case scenarios. Instead, pursue godly wisdom and apply it to your life. Seek the Savior's perspective, and His thoughts will certainly become yours.~~

--"Lord Jesus, fill my mind with Your thoughts and help me be a living testimony of Your goodness. Thank You, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

--MY HOPE IS IN JESUS BECAUSE HE IS WORTHY
OF MY FULL ATTENTION. BLESSED BE THE NAME
ABOVE ALL OTHER NAMES, JESUS! ~~
--Jesus Our Perfect Hope/CS ~~--/--"Your Great Name" / Natalie Grant ~~-<https://youtu.be/kFzx_3zpC7w>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---COUNTED WORTHY/ + TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST ~~

--"They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name."
--(Acts 5:40-41 / NIV)--

---Some of the apostles had been put in jail for speaking about Jesus. An angel released them and told them to go back to the Temple and tell the story again. So they did. When the Sanhedrin discovered that they were missing, they sent soldiers to bring them in for questioning. The Sanhedrin spared them from death but had them flogged, and the apostles left rejoicing.

--My question is this: If the angel is capable of letting them out of prison, wouldn’t you think the angel would have arranged an ending that didn’t include torture? Are you prepared to walk a pathway where God supernaturally intervenes but doesn’t diminish the pain of the journey? I’ve heard people talk about the intervention of God as if He is going to take away all the uncomfortable things. That thought can’t be supported scripturally, but Scripture does give us examples of people like these, who rejoiced in being counted worthy of suffering for the name of Jesus.

**THINK ABOUT IT
It is hard to imagine rejoicing in suffering, especially if our God-perspectives exclude God allowing the pain. What transformation needs to take place for you to emulate the apostles’ response in the face of affliction?

**PRAYER
--"Heavenly Father, it takes courage to yield to Your will in the midst of suffering. May faith-honoring courage inform my responses to pain and even persecution, and my first reaction be rejoicing in being found worthy to stand the test. Lord God, give me holy boldness for Your glory. Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen."

Blessings,
Pastor Allen Jackson
[Friends, perhaps you are suffering for the cause of Jesus. Maybe a relative or close friend has forsaken you because you gave your life to Jesus. Jesus told us this would happen. We read of many people who are condemned, rejected, and sometimes put in jail for sharing their faith. The Lord has promised to be with us always. He will carry you. He has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are Mine. I hold you in the palm of my nail-pierced hand. "Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." ~ Press onward!]
~~~~~~

--Recognize Your [Spiritual] Gift ~~
-(By: Pastor Charles F. Stanley)

--"Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us,
each of us is to exercise them accordingly."
--(Romans 12:6)--

--God has given you a gift to glorify Him and serve others. Today, take a moment and consider which you may possess.

**Prophesying / is proclaiming God's truth.
**Ministering / is serving and meeting needs in others' lives.

**Teaching / is presenting God's Word and explaining how the Lord desires to apply it to our lives daily.
**Exhorting / is appealing to others to live out the Christian life and showing them how to do so.

**Giving / involves practical expressions of time, treasure, and talent that are marked by generosity and faithfulness.
**Leading / may also be called 'administration', and it includes being accountable, diligent, and consistent over time.

**Mercy / involves expressing compassion that points to God's loving-kindness and His free offer of forgiveness, which is made possible through Jesus.

~~This list is brief, but it's important that you recognize the gift you've been given, embrace it, and then seek to grow in it. If you don't know how God has gifted you to serve Him, talk to a member of your church's staff. Perhaps make an appointment to speak with the Pastor. Be sure to always keep this a matter of prayer between you and the Lord Jesus. Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, will lead, guide and direct your steps.

--"Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift You've given me. Show me how to serve in the most effective manner possible, for Your glory. ~ Amen~"

--'MY HOPE IS IN JESUS BECAUSE HE EQUIPS ME FOR SERVICE.'~~

~~~~~~~/-"The More I Seek You" / Melissa Loose / Gateway Worship ~--<https://youtu.be/2qPyZt5VSJo>
------------

--HIS HEALING TOUCH~~

--"Your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction."
--(Mark 5:34)

--JESUS CARES ABOUT every part of you--your spirit, soul, and body. A good example of this is found in Mark 5, when He cured a woman who had suffered with hemorrhaging for twelve years. It's hard to imagine how she maintained her hope for healing, especially after so many doctors had failed and her finances had been spent.

The emotional toll would have been terrible as well. According to Jewish law, she would have been considered perpetually unclean (Leviticus 15:19-30) and would not be permitted to touch others or be embraced by them. Imagine doing without anyone's loving caress for twelve years! But not only does Jesus heal her physical disease; He heals her spiritually and emotionally as well as by accepting her touch and blessing it.

Understand that Jesus does this for you as well. No matter how complex and disillusioning your life may appear, Jesus refuses to turn His back on you. And just like the woman in today's text, if you will reach out to Him, He will comfort you not only in your outward needs but in those that are inward as well. ~~

-"Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting my deepest needs--spirit, soul, and body--and for healing me in profound ways. I praise You and bless Your Name, my Lord, Savior, and Redeemer. ~ amen "

--My hope is in Jesus because He heals my deepest needs and wounds. ~~

--"Jesus, Our Perfect Hope/CS~~--"Magnificent" --/ Hillsong ~<https://youtu.be/FysXVvbUtCE>
~~~~~~~~

~~~LEFT HERE TO MINISTER~~

--"For by grace you have been saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
Not as 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 so
that we would walk in them."
---(Ephesians 2:8-10)--

---Why do you think God has left you here on earth instead of immediately taking you to heaven the moment you were saved? Think of all the hardships and heartaches you’d have escaped. Imagine the joys you’d be experiencing with Christ in heaven. But then again, who would be here to tell others the gospel of salvation if all the believers were taken out of this world?

If you are living and breathing, then the heavenly Father has a purpose for you, a ministry to fulfill. Don’t think of ministry as something done only in a church building by a select group of people. Service to God is the responsibility of every believer. It’s a matter of doing the “good works, which God prepared beforehand” for each of us to accomplish (Eph. 2:10).

Although the way we serve may change over time, we are never called to retire and do nothing. Even a bed-bound saint can pray for others or offer encouraging words to visitors and caregivers. A believer’s goal should not simply be to attend church, listen to a sermon, and receive enough spiritual food to get through the coming week. The goal is to serve God with our whole being, reflecting the love of Jesus through who we are. Our worship of God and instruction from His Word is what edifies and equips us to serve one another and go into the world to share the gospel.

Your entire life is meant to be an act of service to God. If instead you are living for your own happiness and goals, you will eventually be disappointed. But when you walk in the good works God has prepared for you, you’ll have the satisfaction of doing exactly what you were created to do.
---"IN CHRIST ALONE" / Phillips, Craig and Dean / <https://youtu.be/zoMOYGUrGg4>
~~~~~~~~~~~~

--THE INCARNATION OF HOPE / JESUS IS OUR PERFECT HOPE ~
---[PTV/RJ~]

---"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us."
---–(Hebrews 6:19-20)--

--As Christians, ultimately our hope is not in a belief. It is not in a doctrine, and it is not in a set of ideas. Our hope is grounded in a person, Jesus Christ. Hebrews 6:19-20 says, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever.”

Hope is built on God’s promise and God’s oath. Jesus is the embodiment of both. He is the incarnation of God’s ultimate promise to us. It is Jesus who said, “I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). Jesus is the incarnation of God’s promise. He is the incarnation of God’s oath.

In Hebrews 6:19, Jesus is not only referred to as an anchor, but He is also referred to as our forerunner. In first-century Mediterranean ports, when a ship was entering into the harbor toward its destination, the final moments of the ship’s journey were the most dangerous because in the harbor of every Mediterranean port there were rocks. The great danger was that a gust of wind would push the ship onto the rocks where it would crash. So to prevent that from happening, while a ship was still outside the harbor, one of the crew members would get into a smaller vessel. That crew member was called the forerunner. He would take a line attached to the ship and go in that little boat into the harbor. He would attach that line to a large, immovable rock embedded in the harbor. That rock was called the anchor rock. Today we think of an anchor as a piece of iron you drop in the water to hold a ship in place. But in the New Testament, the anchor rock was used to guide the ship. Once the forerunner had attached the line to the anchor rock, then the ship could be pulled safely through the narrow opening, avoiding the rocks and making it safely to its destination.

The writer said Jesus is, first of all, our forerunner. He has gone ahead of us. He has gone through the clouds–through the veil, so to speak–and He is in Heaven right now. He went before us. But He is not only the forerunner; He is our anchor. If we are in Christ, then we are attached to Jesus. He has attached Himself to us, and while we are living in this world, He is safely guiding us through the dangerous and treacherous circumstances that might cause us to shipwreck. He guides us carefully through the dangers of this world until we reach the other side safely. Isn’t that a great word picture? That is why we can say with confidence: Jesus is God’s anchor for us in life’s storms.

~~~~~THE NAME OF JESUS~~

--[Please Read/ Philippians Chapter 2 verses 4-11]--

~~JESUS IS A NAME THAT ELICITS ALL KINDS OF REACTIONS. Some people show indifference, others feel hatred, and many think of it only in a profane sense. But to those of us who know Jesus as Lord and Savior, His name is precious and higher than any other--and one day in Heaven we will eagerly bow before Him.

---In Biblical times, names were given to represent the nature of the person, and this is certainly true of the titles of which our Savior is known=

**LORD SIGNIFIES HIS DEITY. / Jesus existed before time as the eternal Son of God, and His divinity was never put on hold--not even when He humbled Himself to take the form of a man.

**THE NAME JESUS SHOWS HIS HUMANITY AND HIS MISSION. / This was a very common name among the Jews and the one by which our Savior was known as a man. Jesus means "Jehovah is salvation," and that's exactly what He came to do--"save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

**CHRIST MEANS "MESSIAH." / Jesus perfectly fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's first coming. And the remaining Messianic prophecies will be fully realized when He returns to reign on the earth as King.

---When Pontius Pilate addressed the Jews, he uttered one of the most crucial questions in the Bible: "What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" (27:22). We must each answer this same question, and the way we do will determine our eternal destiny. You'll bow before Him one day, but will it be by choice and in grateful worship? Christ leaves that decision up to each person. Please don't let another day pass that you won't call on the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved [ACTS 2 verse 21].
---IN TOUCH
[Chris Tomlin / 'Nobody Loves Me Like You' / --<https://youtu.be/-KicvBB2L68>
~~~~~~~~

---THE CHRIST / JESUS ~~

----"Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
--(Matthew 16:16)--
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
---Confusion existed about just who Jesus was. There were some who believed He was his own cousin, John the Baptist. Others believed Him to be Elijah or another prophet. All of these people were wrong. Peter correctly identified who Jesus is.

Peter's confession emphasized that Jesus was indeed the Christ. Jesus was the very Son of God. Not a son or just a god, but the Son of the true and living God. He, the Christ, came to suffer and die for the sins of mankind. He came that all might have life in the living God, Jehovah Yahweh. YHWH= The loving Covenant-keeping God, our Creator. Jesus said, "I and my Father are One." They are One in the same.

God is the Author and Perfecter of life. It is He who created all life, including our own. It is He who restored life to those who were dead in sin. Only the one true Jehovah G-D is able to accomplish this life restoring work.

Thanks be to God that He has brought life to us. Just as Peter found himself under condemnation for his sin, we are all under condemnation for our sin. The very Christ whom Peter confessed as Lord is our living Jehovah G-D. In Him is life eternal.
Who is Jesus? Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. Jesus is the promised Messiah. He is the Christ. Jesus is the one who has given us life now and for all eternity. Don't try to change or guess what this means. Accept Jehovah G-D at his Word. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was God, and the Word was with God." --(JOHN Chapter 1 verse 1)=The Deity of Jesus Christ.
** CHRIST MEANS "MESSIAH"- Jesus perfectly fulfilled all the Old Testament prophecies that spoke of the Messiah's first coming. And the remaining Messianic prophecies will be fully realized when He returns to reign on the Earth as King above all kings. GIVE HIM PRAISE!
---/"What A Beautiful Name"/ Brooke Ligertwood \ <https://youtu.be/CUBBIddm_rM>
-------

----JOHN'S COMMA AND THE TRINITY ~~

---“For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one”
---- (I John 5:7).

This is the most explicit statement in the Bible of the doctrine of the Trinity, but also the most controversial. It is found in most old Latin manuscripts of the Bible, but only in a few of the Greek manuscripts. Most modern English translations omit it altogether, but the doctrine of the Trinity does not depend only on this verse (see Matthew 28:19; II Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 2:18; John 14:16,17, etc.).--

It is called the Johannine Comma, because of its parenthetical position tying together verses 6 and 8. The question is whether it was originally an insertion from a marginal note by some pious Trinitarian scribe or an arbitrary excision by some anti-Trinitarian copyist during the Arian controversies of the fourth century. Entire books have been written about this verse on both sides of the controversy.

--Many gnostic pseudo-Christians opposed the idea of the divine Trinity in those early centuries, as did the Jews and, of course, the Muslims and their Koran (Mohammed’s book is vehemently antagonistic toward the Trinity doctrine, consigning all who believe it to perdition). There would be a real incentive to early doubters to try to get rid of such a clear-cut statement of the Trinity—more so, it would seem, then any incentive by a genuine Christian to tamper with God’s inspired word by adding to it (note the dire warning against such presumption in Revelation 22:18). And the verse does make beautiful sense in its context.

The King James translators fully understood the evidence on both sides and were all highly capable scholars. They opted to keep the verse. In any case, with it or without, our God of creation and redemption is indeed one triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
--ICR HMM

--LIVING LIKE CHRIST ~~

--THE LOST ENVELOPE~~

-"Store up for yourselves
treasure in heaven, where
moths and rust do not destroy,
and where thieves do not break
in and steal." -(Matthew 6:20)--

--WE WERE on the way home from a visit with family in another state when I found it. I was pumping gas when I noticed a dirty, bulky envelope on the ground. I grabbed it, dirt and all, and looked inside. To my surprise, it contained one hundred dollars.

One hundred dollars that someone had lost and who at that very moment was possibly frantically searching to find. I gave our phone number to the attendants at the gas station in case anyone came back looking for it. But no one ever called.

Someone had that money and lost it. Earthly treasure is often like that. It can be lost in bad investments or even in a monetary market over which we have no control. But the heavenly treasure we have in Jesus--a restored relationship with God and the promise of eternal life--isn't like that. We can't lose it at a gas station or anywhere else.

That's why Christ told us to store up "treasures in heaven" (Matthew 6:20). We do that when we become "rich in good deeds" (1 Timothy 6:18) or "rich in faith" (James 2:5)--lovingly helping others and sharing Jesus with them. As God leads and empowers us, may we store up eterrnal treasure even as we anticipate our eternal future with Him.~~

--"LORD G-D, thank You for everything You've given us on this earth--our money, our homes, and more. Help us to hold them loosely while seeking to store up more eternal treasures, in Jesus Name."
--ODB/DB--/--"Living Hope" / Phil Wickham / <https://youtu.be/f2FGfQ4TjUM>
-------

--JESUS IS WITH US ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THE AGE!

--"All authority has been given to Me
in heaven and on earth. Go therefore
and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and the Son
and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe
all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age."
--[Matthew 28:18-20 / NASB]--

----I'll never forget the first time I used an automatic car wash. I pushed the money into the slot, nervously checked and rechecked my windows, eased the car up to the line, and waited. Powers beyond my control moved my car forward. There I was, cocooned inside, when a thunderstorm rush of water, soap, and brushes hit my car from all directions. What if I get stuck in here? I thought irrationally. Suddenly the waters ceased and my car was propelled into the outside world again, clean and polished,

I've had many stormy times in my life when it seemed I was a victim of forces beyond my control. But my assurance in these times is that when I passed through troubling times my Redeemer had been with me, sheltering me against the rising tide (Isaiah 43:2). On the other side, I could say with confidence, "He is a faithful God!"

We can always trust Jehovah G-D to bring us through to the other side. Then we can be a shining testimony of His keeping power and promises. "I will never leave you nor forsake you. You are Mine. I have your name inscribed on the palm of my nail-pierced hands."

--'God Hears Her'/ Devotions For Women~--"Even Then" / Micah Tyler / <https://youtu.be/7PBysTjztCU>

--JESUS, OUR PERFECT HOPE, HAS PAID OUR SIN DEBT!

--Friend, no matter what you have done or thought, JESUS CHRIST WILL FORGIVE YOU. JESUS LOVES YOU SO MUCH! Please, repent, and ask Jesus
to come into your life. He never turns away a sincere seeker. JESUS DIED FOR YOU! Take it personally. The Bible is a LOVE LETTER to each person.
---

-We are made clean by the blood of the Lamb of God. Be blessed by this song, "CLEAN" by Natalie Grant ~

<https://youtu.be/dqfgjSPMcnc>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~