Encouragements

Another week has begun. The Lord encourages us constantly through your prayers and correspondence. Jody and I are learning so much about holiness lately - particularly about how unholy we are! It has been a revelation - to be stripped of most everything of our former way of life and to realize how little we *actually need* in a temporal sense; how blessed we are; and how magnificent God is.

Had another wonderfully encouraging conversation with our pastor John MacArthur today. Such a loving, prayerful, helpful time. Among many things, we rehearsed the idea how trials prove one's faith. It made me particularly grateful that Jody and I - who are incapable of maintaining our faith in our own strength - are blessed by the Lord - even with the strength to believe and trust Him! Hallelujah, what a Savior.

1Pet. 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.