“For the one who wants to love life
and to see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit,
and he must turn away from evil and do good.
He must seek peace and pursue it,
because the eyes of the Lord
are on the righteous
and His ears are open to their request.”
~1 Peter 3: 10-12a, HCSB~
Don Denton
Don, Joshua and I arrived Sunday night. Don was admitted Monday afternoon to Barnes Jewish and he is doing well. He has seen a number of doctors. We should have a direction that the doctors want to go in by sometime tomorrow. Don is pretty tired as he is not getting much sleep at night. Nurses tend to come in and out of the room often.
We are thankful to be here and are very hopeful to get answers for the dizziness. I will keep you all posted as soon as we hear.
Diane
Carl Wayne Stevens has had several days of not doing real well. Please continue to pray for him, the nursing home staff, and the family.
Kne
Email
“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” (Philippians 2:10).
Mike Benson, Editor
WHEN SOMEONE BEGINS speaking by saying, “The ONLY thing you have to do to be saved is…” they involve themselves in error or double talk…
There is no “alone” in the salvation process. It takes a combination of things on man’s part as well as God’s part to accomplish this wonderful event.
More and more we hear people say that we are save by grace “alone.” Such cannot be the case. This with me for a minute. If salvation is by grace “alone,” would that not logically imply that all men would be saved? Paul stated in Titus 2:11 that the “grace of God which brings salvation has appeared to all men. If all that was necessary for salvation to occur was grace “alone,” then all would be saved, for God’s grace has been offered to all.
If one the other hand, man must act in some fashion to secure and appropriate God’s grace, then man’s response becomes a part of the equation. Does this minimize God’s grace? Do we diminish from its power in suggesting that man must respond to grace in order for it to save us? Does man’s response diminish the power and greatness of God’s grace. Of course not. Certainly the Bible teaches that the salvation of man arises from the kindness, love, and mercy of God, independent of our own goodness (Titus 3:4-5). However, while salvation arises from the gracious qualities of God, it is not accomplished until man acts in response to His grace.
While some proclaim we are saved by grace “alone,” others among us are proclaiming that we are saved by faith “alone.” This too is erroneous. To say that one is saved by faith “alone” means that nothing else is involved (i.e., if “alone” really means “alone”). Would that not imply that God’s grace is not even necessary? It would if “alone” means “alone.” If this faith “alone” doctrine were true, it would eliminate God’s part in the salvation process, while the grace “alone” doctrine would eliminate man’s part in the salvation process.
Salvation requires two parties — God and man. The scheme of redemption had its beginning in the gracious, compassionate, love of God. But it is not completed until man responds to the divine conditions of pardon set forth in Scripture. There is just no “alone” in the scheme of redemption. (Steve Higginbotham)
“For by grace (God’s part) you have been saved through faith (man’s part), and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works…” (Eph. 2:8-9a).
Drama rehersal will be in the auditorium at FBC, Kentwood tonight and prayer meeting in the prayer room at 6 P.M.
Have a wonderful Wednesday.
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 