Happy Monday!

Grades are in: Old Testament—A, Christian Education—B +, Christian History II—B. I am really excited for these grades and am really looking forward to the coming semester after a brief break. My next class begins on Monday, January 9, 2012 and ends Friday, January 13, 2011. I will be in class from 9 AM—5:00 PM, but then I will have completed one semester’s worth of work. I am taking and Intensive Study class in Short Term Pastoral Care and Counseling. Regular Spring classes begin the next week. I will keep you posted as to this new experience in learning.

Prayer: “Gracious heavenly Father, thank You for the joy of knowing that You are My heavenly Father. As I begin this day, I ask that Your Spirit would speak to my heart and provide me with all the things necessary to please You today. I confess my sin to You because Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord, and I place myself at Your disposal in every way. Please help me to make wise decisions and to love my life today in a manner that will be pleasing to You . In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Acts 15: 19 “Therefore, I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God.”

In the days of the early church when the Jews were converting over to Christianity, they had a lot to overcome. They had been raised and immersed in so many rules that they believed that as long as they followed the rules they stayed in good standing with God. These folks had trouble understanding the difference of faith over works. When they came into relationship with Jesus they really only had two things to learn: “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, and to Love the Lord you God with all your heart soul mind and strength and your neighbor as your self. I have also thought that the verse from 2 Cor 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you,” should be added to that list.

While the practice of our religious faith is important, the justification of our faith belongs to Christ alone. Nothing we can do will ever earn the salvation and love given to us by the Savior, Christ the Lord. We fail sometimes and are sorry, but because we are justified by the crucified Christ we can ask forgiveness and, with unquestioning faith, believe that we have been saved by grace alone.

Take joy in the journey, walk the road to Bethlehem and embrace the Christ Child. Kneel before His manger throne and hear the angels sing, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to all with whom He pleased.”

Love you all so very much. Tomorrow I am going to visit Tatum’s family. I will give a full report on our tiny warrior. Please continue to pray for Tatum and her family. Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God.