Devotionals

Intro: I have a Greek word for you, today: ψευδής (pseudes)—false/fake/untrue/lying. There is a great deal of ψευδής going on in our world, today. As well, there is some ψευδής doctrine being upheld and taught as truth in some churches. False teaching has been present in every era and it is still present, today. This teaching has no footing on the narrow road of the Spirit; it is primarily focused on the wide gate that exalts the flesh (Mat 7:13-14). This was the case in the first century church even after Christ’s ascension; it will be the case until Jesus returns for his Bride. For this reason, we need the protective work of the Holy Spirit whom Christ promised would lead us into all truth (John 16:13).

False teachers are recognized by their ψευδής fruit, just as teachers of righteousness are recognized by their holy fruit (Gal 5:22-23). So what is the fruit [fake doctrine] of false teachers? I will share just a few things, today. The gospel leads us to respect the authority of Christ, but ψευδής teaching encourages rebellion and refuses to confess Jesus as God or have the correct view of Christ [this is the spirit of antichrist] (1 John 4:2-3). The gospel leads us to know the Word of God (Christ) as living and teaches us what is righteous before God, as well as corrects us when we are wrong, but ψευδής teaching gives people permission to sin and preys on those who do not know the living Word of God or the conviction of sin by the Spirit (2 Tim 3:16). Humility is the way for the Christ follower, but ψευδής teaching drips with pride (Mat 5:3; 2 Peter 2:17). So, run from what is ψευδής.

If we are truly following Christ and listening to righteous teaching, we will be lead on the narrow road of truth (always leading us toward Christ-likeness) and the Holy Spirit will produce abundant fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control!” (Gal 5:22-23). So, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God, because one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (1 Cor 10:31; Phil 2:11).

2 Peter 2:17-22 NLT
17 These people are as useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to blackest darkness. 18 They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception. 19 They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 20 And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”

Prayer: Lord, I pray for all of us—believers and unbelievers—to be wise to the work of Satan who attempts to twist everything and lead humanity into a deceived and apostate way of living. Thank you for the Spirit and Truth to guide us, so we understand how to live as your worshipers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Do you need reminders? When John and I were getting ready for vacation, I had notes all over the place to remind me of things I needed to perform, purchase, and pack. It would be wonderful if I could make a mental note of important things and it would be there when I needed to recall it; however, with so much going on this past month, I was pretty sure that was not going to happen. So, I took some practical measures and left written notes. (laugh with me)

Today, in our passage from the gospel of John, Jesus tells his disciples he will send the Holy Spirit who will remind them of his teachings. The disciple’s part will be to obey the commands of God, because the indwelling Spirit will lead them into the truth; connect Christ’s disciples with the Word of God. The disciples have been eyewitnesses of Christ’s life, but the Holy Spirit will now help them remember so they can write about everything they have witnessed from a unified yet unique perspective. We are blessed to have the Spirit bringing clarity and helping us with the truth, as well. By the Spirit, we can know God’s will, remember God’s Word, so we can quickly realign our lives when we forget or get off track. (so much better than a note, right?)

John 14:25-26 NLT
25 I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. 26 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

Prayer: Lord, I am so grateful for the many reminders you bring me each day, so I can remain in fellowship with you. Holy Spirit, please continue to remind me about Christ’s commands, teachings, nature, and character, so I know when I am heading in a wrong direction. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: The same; but different. When it comes to things of the Spirit there is unity and diversity. When the Spirit moves, we witness gracious endowments that lead to powerful results. The Spirit is always the same and the work of making us new creations is the same. Yet, we remain wonderfully unique and the gifts the Spirit bestows are fresh and different, as well. Every gift given by the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of Truth—is for the unity and diversity of the Church—the spiritual family—in the world.

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul clarifies the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit, because counterfeit gifts are surfacing and deceiving people. The spiritual gifts from God unite us with the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, as well as with one another. The same Giver: “There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ” (Eph. 4:5-13). But, different gifts: God pours out his powerful anointing in very diverse yet individual ways according to His will. It is the work of the Spirit to glorify and exalt Jesus, as well as grow believers in His holy nature and character. We must receive those gifts and allow the Spirit to direct us. When the Church righteously welcomes the gifts of the Spirit, powerful things happen in hearts and lives.

You have been given a spiritual gift(s). If you have not identified yours, then it is time for you to do so. Connect2Christ Church will be offering an opportunity for you to discover yours this summer; and I will be waiting to help you exercise it for the health of the spiritual family. Please plan to sign up soon.

1 Corinthians 12:4-13 NLT  
4 There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6 God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8 To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. 9 The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10 He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

One Body with Many Parts
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

Prayer: Lord, please unite all believers in your Spirit of Truth; help us to welcome the diverse gifts you have individually chosen just for us. Every gift is an expression of your beautiful and perfect love. That is why we must grow in your character and nature to see the fullness of those supernatural gifts in action through our human lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

In Psalm 29, David does an amazing job of connecting the strength and power of a storm to the voice of God. This is a song of praise to the Lord for His splendor and holiness.

The first two verses begin with David addressing heaven and calling for all heavenly beings to Honor the LORD for the glory of His Name, a Name that is repeated eighteen times in these eleven verses. Friends, throughout scripture we are called to glorify God in all that we do, not just in worship and in service, but in every aspect of who we are and what God calls us to do.

In verses three through nine David uses imagery of a thunderstorm to reveal to us the glory and power of the God we serve. The fact that His voice is loud like thunder shouldn’t scare those who know His voice and are living a life of faithful obedience to His call. “For the LORD of Heaven’s Armies has a day of reckoning. He will punish the proud and mighty and bring down everything that is exalted. He will cut down the tall cedars of Lebanon and all the might oaks of Bashan.” (Isaiah 2:12-13) We serve a God Who is sovereign and there is no other God except Him, so all who falsely stand in His place over His Creation will eventually be shattered.

In verses ten and eleven David reveals how God has made his glory known to us, not through His loud thunderous voice in judgment, but rather through the Prince of Peace Who by baptismal water and Spirit we are given the opportunity to be saved. Friends, one day we will each stand to be judged. I envision this moment will be between just me and Jesus, and I won’t be able to refer to anyone who He has blessed my physical life with along the way. As it is just us, and I stand in judgement of my walking life, my prayer is that my Master (Creator, Jesus), will say: “Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!” (Matthew 25:23).

Psalm 29

A psalm of David.

1 Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings;
honor the Lord for his glory and strength.
2 Honor the Lord for the glory of his name.
Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea.
The God of glory thunders.
The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars;
the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf;
he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with bolts of lightning.
8 The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake;
the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks
and strips the forests bare.
In his Temple everyone shouts, “Glory!”

10 The Lord rules over the floodwaters.
The Lord reigns as king forever.
11 The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.

Prayer: Jesus, please forgive me for my sins. I need the Holy Spirit to help guide me every day, so I am becoming more and more obedient to Your Word in my daily life. I want to be walking with You and walking out the plan You have prepared for me. I know this will prepare me for when You call me Home and when I stand before You in judgement. On that day, I long to hear You say, “well done”. I ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: Discouragement—a response to something we have hoped for but has not manifest—always seeks to diminish the believer’s confident trust in God. The word discouragement comes from the root word courage. It is the enemy who releases a spirit of discouragement to tempt us to set aside our trust in the only One who can fulfill our hopes. We can lose our courage when we face things that seem insurmountable; but that is the very time we must remember God’s faithfulness and the promises he has given us.

We can also become discouraged when we place our hopes in the responses of people; sometimes we want recognition or the attention of people who ignore or minimize us. We cannot place our hope in people the way we can in God; people may mean well but still wrestle a sin nature. God is holy and can be completely trusted, so let’s keep God the focus of our hope.

There are many places in Scripture where God reminds his genuine worshipers to take courage in his promises, because discouragement is a warning light for us to ask the Spirit to stoke the fire in our souls (Ps 27:14; 31:24; 2 Chronicles 32:7; Deuteronomy 31:6). Believers obediently serve Christ whether or not there are quick answers or instant gratification. Whether we find ourselves on the spiritual mountaintop or in the darkest valley, God is with us ready to supply the resources of heaven as we activate our faith in the Truth.

In our passage, today, from Paul’s letter to Timothy, we are reminded to celebrate the life Christ has given us through the resurrection. Believers can know new life in the salvation that comes from God; a life with focus, wisdom, direction, and power…a courageous life connected to God through the work of the Holy Spirit. Paul courageously places his trust in Christ as he suffers in prison and as he faces his death. He calls Timothy to remain confident in Christ and follow his example of trust. Paul wants Timothy to remember the Spirit and Truth entrusted to him is a precious treasure to be guarded. May you have courage, today!

2 Timothy 1:12-13 NLT
12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.

13 Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. 14 Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

Prayer: Lord, if Paul, through the power of the Spirit, can remain courageous during his unjust imprisonment and threat of death, we can cast down the discouragement that tries to sway us from keeping our trust in you. Whether we face uplifting times or defeating times, we will stay focused on your holy nature and promises. Holy Spirit, for those who are struggling to fight off discouragement today, please stir their souls with faith, hope, and love. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Do you struggle with self-discipline? The Bible defines self-discipline as having the ability to control one’s thoughts, emotions, words, and actions. Self-discipline reveals lordship—basically to exercise power over one’s self. Discipline has to do with the training we gain from the Holy Spirit who guides us into living the Truth—like Christ. We need help training our thoughts, emotions, verbal expressions, and actions in order to stay focused on the power and love of God to save us moment by moment from our innate selfishness. If there is no self-discipline happening in our lives, we are not disciples of the Lord of lords.

The opposite of living with self-discipline is to live a self-indulgent lifestyle; a life lived to please our selfish and sinful natures or flesh. Our present culture is demanding this form of “liberty;” freedom from exercising self-discipline and it is making its way into the Church. This is a very twisted and evil view of liberty that carries no spiritual truth for the Christian and does not belong in genuine disciples.

This false idea of God-given liberty is really indulging self-rule—which leads us into bondage and satan’s plan. When we stand, declare “liberty in Christ,” and live like nothing in us has to change because of grace, we are simply not willing to allow our flesh to suffer for the sake of Christ. The spiritual liberty believers have been given in Christ allows us to live, serve, and proclaim the Lord’s holy purposes for his human creation. The fruit of self-discipline [self-control] reveals and empowers Christ in us (Heb 12:5-6).

In our passage today, Paul has been imprisoned and appears to be awaiting death. Persecution seems to be intensifying for those preaching the gospel of salvation and self-discipline; more and more believers in the early Church are being arrested for sharing their faith in the power of God to transform sinful humanity. So, Paul takes this time to encourage Timothy; to remind him God will provide the strength they each need through the Holy Spirit to remain faithful as they proclaim victory in the Living God who takes an old nature and makes it new (2 Cor 5:17). I encourage you today to invite the Spirit to guide you into a greater measure of self-discipline, because beautiful and righteous fruit will feed your soul.

2 Timothy 1:8-12 NLT
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

8 So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.

12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him [what he has entrusted to me] until the day of his return.

Prayer: Lord, without the Spirit, it can be difficult for your disciples to share the truth of the salvation you offer. So, please pour more of your Spirit upon your disciples, so we can boldly proclaim genuine liberty and be witnesses of the truth with our changed lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Water is an essential element for the survival of all living things; it protects organs and tissues. Water carries nutrients and oxygen to our cells, brings lubrication to our joints, and helps our kidneys and liver flush all the toxins out of our bodies. As our physical bodies need water from the earth, our spiritual beings need the Living Water [Holy Spirit] from heaven.

In our passage today, Israel is celebrating the Festival of Shelters—a seven day autumn harvest festival held in Jerusalem about six months after Passover. During the first seven days of the Festival, the people erect temporary shelters/tents to symbolize Israel’s 40 years in the wilderness. For those seven festival days, a water ceremony—water is poured over the altar—reminds Israel how God provided springs of water in the desert to sustain their lives. At the climax of the Festival—eighth day—instead of pouring water over the altar, the people pray and asked God to send rain. So, when Jesus shouts to the crowd, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!” he connects himself as the Source of this water for which they are praying.

Drought can be a frequent occurrence in Israel; especially during the autumn months. The rivers and springs do not run all year round, so the people would pray for rainfall that could be caught in their cisterns/wells. Jesus wanted the people to know the Source of Living Water—the Holy Spirit—whom he promised to send from heaven. Spiritual drought is a real condition, but Jesus has the remedy. For believers, we are called to come to the Lord in prayer and drink of the water that leads to eternal life and blessing. For those thirsty believers, please drink of the Spirit, today!

John 7:37-39 NLT Jesus Promises Living Water
37 On the last day, the climax of the festival [Festival of Shelters], Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! 38 Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” 39 (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the Holy Spirit who satisfies our spiritual thirst with sufficient tastes of grace and eternal life with you. We are so very blessed by your love and goodness toward us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Intro: Our nine-month-old granddaughter is starting to baby talk. Like many infants, her favorite word thus far is “dada.” Of course, our son smiles all over when she says it and reaches for him. He basks in the glory of her identity as his beautiful child.

When we accept Christ as our Savior for the forgiveness of our sin against God, as the reborn of God, we receive the Holy Spirit as a Gift. When we welcome the Spirit and obediently follow his guidance for our lives, we become heirs to all God has promised to those who “belong” to Jesus. We share in the glory of the One and Only firstborn Son.

The Spirit affirms our identity as a son or daughter of Father God. The Holy Spirit brings the power of the Living God to our lives, so we can know what pleases our Abba [Aramaic Father]. Abba signifies the close, intimate relationship of a father and his child, as well as the childlike trust that a young child puts in his or her “daddy.” When believers pray and ask for security and the power of God to hold us and move in our behalf, we are crying out, “Abba!”

In our passage today from the Apostle Paul, we are reminded when we do not know how to pray about something, the Holy Spirit prays through us for the will of God. We do not have to cope with our problems alone; God desires to be our Helper. So, do not be afraid to ask God for what you need, because even if you cannot articulate perfectly, the Spirit knows God’s plan for you, is speaking it to Abba, and ready to act in your behalf. Holiness is God’s Way for you.

Romans 8:26-27 NLT 26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for the Gift of the Holy Spirit who helps me with all things in my life including the content and power of my prayers. Holy Spirit, I honor you for making my prayers align with Abba’s holy plans for blessing me and others. I believe you have only good things in store for me and the promises you are holding—waiting for me to ask and receive—are for your glory. May everything the Spirit prays for me, be manifest in Jesus’ name. Amen.

On this Memorial Day, we thank Jesus for the many men and women who have paid the ultimate price for defending our county with the loss of their lives; and we ask for their families and friends to be supernaturally covered and filled by the Holy Spirit.

Today’s passage about “The Future Glory” fits well with it being Memorial Day. We have all asked the question “why” about trials, sorrow, pain, and death at some point in our lives. In Romans 8, Paul helps us to understand that all of God’s creation, including you and me, have been subjected to God’s curse on sin from the very beginning when Adan and Eve sinned in the garden (Gen 3). Although there is no way that we can deliver ourselves from sins, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins to be forgiven and the Holy Spirit is our helper in our times of weakness until Jesus returns. When Jesus returns “No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and His servants will worship Him. And they will see His face, and His Name will be written on their foreheads.” (Rev 22:3-4)

As you and I look forward to Jesus’ return, we know that there will be suffering, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” (v. 28) Please take note, that this Truth is “for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them” which means this is for believers, and as believers we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through our times of suffering and do it with God’s grace which covers us. We have to stay fully connected to Jesus to experience His future glory, we must stand firm with Him when times and circumstances get tough, because the enemy is waiting for a time of weakness. Remember what Peter says in 1 Peter 2:11: “Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that way war against your very souls.” Our earthly lives are but a vapor, here today and can vanish tomorrow (James 4:14) so we must stay away from those things of this world that pull us away from Jesus and stand with Him and ready through faith and hopeful for His return and for our Homecoming.

Romans 8:18-30 NLT

The Future Glory
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)

26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for the brave men and women who have, are, and will stand to protect our county. Please bless the families and friends who have lost someone in service. May they see Your love and comfort even within their great loss. Help all of us to see how You are moving for our good even in tough times. Keep us rooted in You, growing in our relationship by Your Word, and protect our souls from the enemy of this world. We want to be prepared for Your return. We ask all of this in Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Intro: One word this morning for you to think about as you read: relationships—the state of being related by kindred, affinity, or other alliance. God cares so much about relationships he gave us 10 commands so we would take care of them. In fact, by God’s design, everything about redemption—price paid by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for our sins—flows through the starting point of relationship.

We are to love God relationally—to connect with him personally as our Creator and Lord. To know him in this way is to have eternal life (Jo 3:16). Jesus brings us into a new relationship with God, so we can receive communication from his Spirit and choose to follow divine direction into a deeper measure of his love. Believers—those in right relationship with God through Christ—now have the honor and responsibility to be led by the Spirit. We can know we belong to God by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit (Ro 5:5).

Therefore, we are to love others relationally, because we identify as our Father’s children. Saying we know God, but do not treat our relationships with others—family, friends, work, church, other acquaintances—as an essential point of sharing God’s relational love is to completely miss the gospel. We choose to love through our relationships, because God first loved us in relationship (1 Jo 4:19). And remember, when the Kingdom comes up against God’s spiritual enemies, great pressure is the result. We will feel the spiritual pressure in ourselves and relationships. Therefore, we must pray for the Spirit to help us stay the course in commitment and Love. If you are feeling pressure in your relationships with others, just remember human flesh is at war with the Spirit (Gal 5:17). Pray and ask the Spirit to be your Helper and Guide; then, follow in obedience because Love never fails.

Romans 8:14-17 NLT
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing your children into divine relationship with you, so we know how to handle ourselves and our relationships in the world. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us to represent you relationally to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.