Saturday

“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 (NLT)~

I admire the spiritual strength of this mother.  She’s been tested in the fire and found to be strong and true to God.

CaringBridge

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/calliecole/journal?jid=5944430

Mrs. Annie Bell Harrell is doing better.  We saw her son last night.  Continue to pray for Mr. Phillip and “Miss” Anna Bell.

KneEmail

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow…” Philippians 2:10

Mike Benson, Editor

WERE IT NOT for faith, or as Paul mentioned the law of faith (Romans 3:27), salvation could not be by grace because faith allows entrance into God’s saving grace…

The two then, grace and faith, are inseparable qualities.  Works are associated with faith, for “you see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).  James further commented, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (v. 26).  The premier biblical example of grace, faith, and works combining to bring about salvation is found in Noah who lived in advance of the law of Moses.  As God was contemplating the destruction of the world in the great flood, the Bible says, “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD” (Genesis 6:8).  God told Noah to make an ark 300 cubits long, 50 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high, fill it with animals and food as God described, and get in it with his family (Genesis 6:14-7:1).  The comment, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did” (v. 22) in no way countermanded the grace of God.  Regarding Noah’s faith, the Hebrews’ writer said:  “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7).

God’s grace coupled with His commands and Noah’s faith brought about salvation.  It was not legalism then nor is it now to say God’s grace coupled with His commands and our obedient faith brings about salvation.  One who so believes and practices is not a legalist but an “heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”  Gary McDade, “Grace,” The Doctrine of Christ–Nineteenth Annual Florida School of Preaching Lectureship, 126-127

“Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the faith of us all.” Romans 4:15; cf., 5:1-2

Have a great day of preparation for the Lord’s Day!

Anna Lee