Abundant Life

John 10:10  The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

How can we obtain the “abundant life” that Jesus speaks of?

First, it might help to understand what Jesus meant when He spoke of an abundant life.  It’s interesting that in the verse this lesson is based on, Jesus begins by illustrating what an abundant life isn’t, so let’s start our study there.

The Alternative to An Abundant Life

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…

I wonder if “the thief” Jesus mentions here is an allusion to the devil.  Certainly, stealing, killing, and destroying sound like the activities that Satan would be involved in.  As the “god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4) the devil has deceived mankind by appealing to our worldly lusts.

The worldly pattern for success in life has everything completely backwards.  We are constantly bombarded by the message to “do whatever makes you happy”.  The world trains us to selfishly pursue fame, wealth, sex and ignore the pursuit of righteousness and a relationship with God.  Then the worldly wonder why the home is broken and society is in such disarray!

We could have everything we think we want in this life – only to wake up and discover that we still feel hollow and empty inside. This isn’t an opinion, this is a sad reality.  It’s an endless cycle played out nearly every single time by someone who attains all the world has to offer, and they yet still turn to addiction because they still feel lacking… or they end up losing it all through a gluttonous attempt to attain even more… or they tragically commit suicide to escape the loneliness at “the top”.

If material abundance was what Jesus spoke of, then Solomon should have been the happiest man of all time.  However we read that despite having material blessings available to a man, Solomon actually found life to be meaningless.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-15 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. When goods increase, They increase who eat them; So what profit have the owners Except to see them with their eyes? The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, Whether he eats little or much; But the abundance of the rich will not permit him to sleep. There is a severe evil which I have seen under the sun: Riches kept for their owner to his hurt. But those riches perish through misfortune; When he begets a son, there is nothing in his hand. As he came from his mother’s womb, naked shall he return, To go as he came; And he shall take nothing from his labor Which he may carry away in his hand.

No, meaning in life isn’t gained by the pursuit of the things of this world.  It’s found by seeking a higher purpose.

Matthew 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

How Do We Attain an Abundant Life? 

Thus, we understand that an abundant life is not about the material, but rather spiritual abundance.  True fulfillment is found only in a right relationship with God!

So how do we attain an abundant life?  It sounds odd and backwards, but one of the first steps involves giving up your life!

Matthew 10:39 …Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

Lose yourself to Jesus.  Turn over your will to Him.  Put your faith, your trust in Jesus.  Allow God to be the ruler of your life and you will transcend the cares of this world.

Faith, submission to God, turning your life and will over to Christ…  These are the first steps in having an abundant life.

Submission and obedience are the culmination of faith.  Unfortunately I think a lot of people miss out on the abundant life that Jesus offers because of their failure to submit.  To them “submission” and “obedience” are ugly, archaic words.  The idea of giving in to someone else puts a sour taste in their mouth; even they have a sincere belief in God.  But if we truly have faith in God and seek to please Him, obedience is necessary!

John 14:15  If you love me, keep My commandments

Why are submission and obedience so important to God?  And is it really so bad to submit to and obey God?

“Honor thy Father and thy Mother”

Our relationship with God in many ways echoes our relationship with our parents (or perhaps, more accurately, it’s the other way around).  It’s little wonder then that God calls for us to honor our parents time and again throughout the Bible.  This instruction is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12).  Jesus reiterated this command in the Gospels (Matthew 15:3-5).  What does commandment have to do with living an abundant life?
Paul explains in Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:1-3  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

Let us assume that all parents either were committed to the Lord or – at the very least – had their children’s best interest in mind through the course of their raising.  We know that this is not always the case, but let’s pretend that it is so we can see the wisdom of following God’s pattern.
Parents wish their children well. They want them to be safe, successful, and happy in life.  Parents do not seek to harm their children in any way nor hinder their happiness, although children do not always see it this way.

Parents direct their children in what to do and what not to do.  Whether it’s “look both ways before you cross the street” or “don’t hang out with that group of people”, parents seek to spare children the despair, harm, and consequences of bad choices.  Parents have typically lived long enough that they have gained wisdom from experience and seek to pass on this knowledge to their children.
Isn’t that similar to the relationship between God and mankind?  We’re familiar with the phrases “Mother knows best” and “Father knows best”.  If our earthly parents are wise in their instruction, then how much more is our Heavenly Father?

God’s Commandments are for Our Own Good

In discussing appropriate principles of the marriage relationship, Paul said the following…

1 Corinthians 7:35 …And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper…

Whether it’s proper conduct in marriage or any other commandment given to us in the Bible, unfortunately so much of mankind fail to recognize that God’s instructions are for our own good.  Instead, they indeed see it as a leash.  To them, the Bible is a nothing but a bunch of thou shalt not’s.   They see God’s Law as a long list of restrictions.

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

Indeed, some of God’s commandments may require self-denial on our part.  But in the long-run we discover that they have been for our very best all along.  He didn’t give us these commands to burden or harm us, but rather to help us.  It’s when we disregard or rebel against God’s commands that we experience the consequences.  The sooner we realize this, the better chance we have at having a fulfilling life (Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14).

Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives. The burden that I ask you to accept is easy; the load I give you to carry is light.

Jesus says that His yoke is easy and that His burden is light.  Why not take Him at His word?

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Being Content

We have already established that an abundant life isn’t a life spent in pursuit of the material.  Therefore, whatever our lot is in life, we need to learn to be content with what we have.

Think back to the example of Solomon from the beginning of this lesson and compare his mindset to that of the Apostle Paul.  Solomon had everything on a silver platter, yet felt unfulfilled while Paul, despite his life of hardship learned the value of contentedness.

Philippians 4:11-13  Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

Isn’t that the kind of attitude we need to have to live the abundant life that Christ offered?

A recent global statistic shows that if one has a roof over his head and a meal on his table he is richer than 93 percent of the world’s population.  If a person wears a pair of shoes he is richer than 75 percent of the people in the world.  And yet in the United States credit card debt averages more than $16,000 per household… and yet the discontentment never seems to be satisfied!  We should always consider and be thankful for how blessed we truly are!

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather recognizing and appreciating what we do have.” – Friedrich Koenig

1 Timothy 6:6-8 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

Aside from forfeiting the constant desire for more, there is much to be said about the contentment that comes from being free from worry.  We’ve all experienced stress from jobs or various situations beyond our control.  And yet, in trusting God, we can turn our worries and cares over to Him.

1 Peter 5:6-7  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Believers have a great advantage over unbelievers.  We can put our trust and confidence in God – and while their lives may not be completely worry-free – we have direct access Almighty Creator.  Surely we can rest assured know that He will care for us and that in the end everything will work out!

Romans 8:28   And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Serving God through Serving Others

Matthew 23:11-12  But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

In a roundabout way, mankind has created its own morality.  It’s sad and ironic that society looks down on and disparages Christianity, yet embrace so many of Christ’s teachings despite attempting to bypass Christ Himself.  Even these unbelievers have come to recognize the psychological and emotional benefits of helping others.  Contributing rather than consuming:  Giving time, money, and energy to charitable causes is a fulfilling act that gives purpose to life.

But to the Christian, we recognize that in serving others there is an even deeper meaning.

Matthew 22:36-40  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Through serving others, we our fulfilling our God-given purpose!   In showing love to our neighbors we are introducing them to Christ!  The abundant life is about lifting others up, supplying their needs and thereby emulating the example that Jesus set.

Matthew 20:28 …Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

Living Redeemed

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

While this verse applies to eternal death and eternal death, I think it is appropriate to apply it to life on this Earth.  Sin is a heavy burden to bear.  Who would want to go through life having to bear the guilt and regret of past mistakes? Thankfully, Christ offers us an out, a chance to be forgiven and go forward with a clear conscience.

Hebrews 9:14 …How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

So many people live life looking backward and dwelling on past mistakes, but if God forgives us we can forgive ourselves.  And if God forgives us, that’s really all that matters.  Once again, we can move forward in life with the assurance that God is on our side; if that’s the case, then who could be against us?

Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What a blessing it is to be forgiven by God and have a second chance at life!

Psalm 32:1-5 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

Christians living the abundant life enjoy not just in this world, but also – more importantly –  the next!

Heavenly Hope

Another major advantage that believers have over unbelievers is the assurance of a home in Heaven with Jesus.

John 14:1-4  Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.

We know that this life is short and that whatever hardships we may face are temporary.  When this life is over we will linger on.  Though we ultimately aspire to a home in heaven, we can enjoy the blessing of living that abundant life in the meantime!

Acts 3:19 Repent then and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

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References:  
https://www.gotquestions.org/abundant-life.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-contentment.html

Amazing Grace

John Newton was born in London in 1725.  His mother died when he was only 7.  He was sailing at age 11, accompanying his sea-captain father on his journeys.  During this rough life at sea Newton had a wild, profane youth of rebellion and drinking.  Despite his debauchery he ended up enlisted in the British navy.  He attempted to desert not long thereafter and was stripped of his rank in disgrace.  Newton would then serve on the ship of slave-traders.

He got heavily invested in the odious practice of buying, selling, and transporting his fellow humans.  However, in a strange turn of events he was at one point left behind by his crewmates in West Africa.  There he found himself enslaved, sold to an African royal.

He was rescued some time later, but the ship taking him back home was caught in a terrible storm that began to sink just off the coast of Ireland.  It was in the midst of this terrifying situation that Newton prayed to God and pleaded that he would be spared.  Miraculously, some of the cargo in the lower level shifted just enough to plug up the hole in the hull.  The ship made it through the remainder of the storm and Newton survived.

Taking this as a sign, Newton converted to Christianity.  Years later, Newton became a priest who would actively denounce the slave trade he was once profited from.  Concerning his former involvement in the slave-trade, Newton once wrote, “It will always be a subject of humiliating reflection to me, that I was once an active instrument in a business at which my heart now shudders.”  Indeed, he was a profoundly different person in his latter years.

Newton would go on to write an impressive collection of around 280 hymns during his time as a priest.  In 1772 he wrote the words for one you’ve probably heard and sang countless times.

Yes, John Newton was the writer of “Amazing Grace”.

Side Note:  Interestingly, the song was originally more of a chant.  The tune wasn’t applied to until 1835 by William Walker.  Apparently, “Amazing Grace” is sung to the tune of another song called “New Britain”. 

Despite being two hundred years old, the song has not diminished in popularity and it’s not difficult to see why it has endured for so long.  The melody is beautiful.  The lyrics are stirring.

It may be one of the most translated songs, as it has been interpreted into a multitude of languages including Spanish, German, and even Cherokee.  The song was featured in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.  It was later used as an anthem by African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement “to define racial equality as a moral and religious pursuit.”

Another Side Note:  Harriet Beecher Stowe is credited as the writer of the last verse of the song; the line “When we’ve been there ten thousand years…” doesn’t appear in Newton’s original text.  Apparently Stowe added the line when she wrote the song into “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.

“Amazing Grace” has been featured on over 11,000 albums by a variety of artists including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, and Elvis.  From 1970-1972 the two-centuries-old song even spent 68 straight weeks on the record charts, peaking at number 5 with Judy Collins’ version.

Today “Amazing Grace” is a staple of musical worship in church houses around the world. The hymn is more or less synonymous with the Gospel singing; it very well may be the quintessential song of Christian worship.  It is estimated that the song is performed some 10 million times annually.

Colossians 3:16  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

For this lesson, I’d like to break down “Amazing Grace” verse by verse and examine its themes as they relate to Scripture and our spiritual journey.

Verse 1 – God’s Amazing Grace

“Amazing Grace!  How sweet the sound!  

That saved a wretch like me!  

I once was lost, but now am found; 

Was blind, but now I see.”

The song begins with the declaration:  “Amazing grace!  How sweet the sound!”  Certainly, it’s difficult to think of a better adjective to describe God’s grace than “amazing”.

Grace is defined as “free and unmerited favor.”  Indeed, God’s grace manifests itself in so many wonderful ways!  Just think of all the physical blessings he so freely gives:  our homes, our families… the very air we breathe!  Indeed every minute of life we enjoy reveals the grace of our Creator.

Additionally – and far more importantly – God also tends to our spiritual needs.  He lifts us up when we are weak, provides us with refuge when we are afraid, and nurtures the very core of our being.  It’s God’s grace that provides us with a way out of the grave we dug for ourselves through our former sinful life.

As Newton said, God’s grace “saved a wretch like me.”  We don’t deserve to be saved, but God recognizes our value.  He loves us so much that He was willing to send His Son to die in our place in the ultimate expression of His grace.

John 1:14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Through his selfless sacrifice, Jesus saved us from our sins, allowing us to be reborn.  Newton alludes to this by referencing parables and miracles of Jesus.  “I once was lost, but now am found” recalls the Parable of the Lost Coin, son, etc…  while the line “was blind, but now I see” likely draws inspiration from Jesus’ miraculous ability to heal the blind.

Certainly, when one dedicates their life to Christ they recognize and regret all of the years they wasted wandering, spiritually directionless.  But they also realize that that is all behind them now, that Jesus has opened up a door to a new, purposeful and fulfilling life full of hope.

Of course we must be sure to remember that aforementioned definition of grace – “free and unmerited favor”.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

If we got what we truly deserved, it would be death in exchange for our trespasses against God…

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But the Gospel is “unfair” in our favor:  We get what we don’t deserve!

Ephesians 2:4-5  But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)… 

This is what makes God’s grace so amazing!

Therefore, as we go about serving Christ we must be careful to remember that is nothing we can do to earn the salvation He offers; it’s all a freely given gift from God!

Verse 2 – Trusting God

The theme of the second verse seems to be one of conversion and repentance.

“”Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, 

and grace my fears relieved.  

How precious did that grace appear, 

the hour I first believed!”

It may sound odd to a nonbeliever, but the fear of God is actually a positive thing.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

The kind of fear mentioned in proverbs isn’t mortal terror as one might think, but rather a deep respect for God and His authority.  When we come to appreciate the scope of God’s power and humble ourselves before Him, we start to see the wisdom of His ways.

James 4:6  But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

It sounds strange, but this one kind of fear can drive out all other fears.  The fear of God, actually serves to embolden us!  We no longer have to fear death.  In submitting to Jesus we are turning over our will to the only one who can defeat death!  Therefore, we no longer have to fear death nor eternal punishment.  Jesus has set us free from all of that!

Pslam 56:11  In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

This knowledge we gain from the fear of God allows us to put our trust in Him fully.  A spiritual awakening wells up within us and we start to recognize our need for forgiveness, which leads to our repentance, the renouncement of a life dedicated to sin.  We turn away from that former life; humble ourselves give Jesus the power over our new life.

Romans 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Verse 3 – Faith Under Fire

“Thru many dangers, toils, and snares 

I have already come.  

‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, 

And grace will lead me home.”

Unfortunately, the journey isn’t over once we rise from the cleansing waters of baptism.  It’s almost as if Satan kicks it into overdrive once we try to turn our backs on him once and for all.  We left behind the sins of our former life and go forth with a clean slate, only to be met with the temptation to return.  In moments of such weakness we feel despair.  At other times we may find ourselves doubting, questioning our faith.  And as if that weren’t enough we may face outside persecution.  The world may ridicule us for our beliefs or worse.

No doubt, it is discouraging to a young Christian to experience trials of faith.  But we must take heart and remember we allow the grace of God to lift us up once more.

2 Corinthians 12:9  And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

God’s grace not only has the power to save us, but it also has the power to restore us when we have stumbled.

Romans 3:23-24  …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Verse 4 – Looking Forward to Eternity

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years,

 Bright shining as the sun, 

We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise 

Than when we first begun.”

The final verse looks forward to a wonderful future.  Just imagine:  Being in Heaven, in the direct presence of almighty God, forever illuminated in His glory.

Harriet Beecher Stowe presents the idea of being in Heaven for ten thousand years and it being as if no time has passed at all.  It’s a simple fact of mortality:  We cannot comprehend the spectrum of eternity.  We can’t understand the eternal nature of God – a being who is without beginning or end, who just simply always was and will always be.

However, consider that the Bible tells us that we are made in God’s image:  Perhaps this doesn’t refer to our outward appearance as many interpret, but maybe this alludes to the true nature of our being.  Mankind has always been set apart from the rest of the natural world.  Blessed with intelligence, endowed with dominion over our surrounding God has given so much.  But beyond all of that, God made us in His image; God has granted us the ability to become eternal beings.

However, being trapped within our flesh, we sometimes forget that the spirit that lingers within us is actually our true self and that we will linger on once this mortal life has concluded.  But the Bible tells us as much; we will continue to exist beyond this plane of existence.

Having this knowledge, God allows us a choice:  How will we spend eternity?

One option is to live a life devoid of meaning.  We can pursue our selfish desires and grasp at the shallow pleasures this world has to offer.  But this way only leads to ultimate destruction.  Hell.  Eternal death.

But it doesn’t have to be like this.  And God doesn’t want it to be this way.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The other option is to reject the temptations of this world and look forward to a more glorious future.  We can accept God’s offer to be reunited with Him forever in eternal life.  We can do this by submitting to the grace of God and allowing it to work in us toward salvation!

Titus 3:4-7  But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life

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A Final Side Note:  I realize that there are several versions of this beloved hymn and that it's possible I've left out other verses found in other versions.  It was not my intention to purposefully leave these verses out for any reason other than the fact that this lesson is based on the version found in our congregation's song book.  Maybe one day I'll get around to commentating on those verses...

References:  

“Songs of the Church”  Howard Pulblishing Company, 1977.

https://www.biography.com/news/amazing-grace-story-john-newton 

https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-04-30/complicated-story-behind-famous-hymn-amazing-grace 

Acknowledging a Hiatus

My family and I at the wedding of a longtime friend and sister in Christ.
Little Evie was the flower girl and I was honored to perform the ceremony!

Obviously it's been a while since I have made any posts... I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm still alive!

Poor attempts at humor aside, I assure you that everything really is fine.  God continues to bless my family and I with good health, physically and spiritually.  I actually am still writing lessons and sharing them with local congregations, but I've just been very lax in my posting them on the blog.  Between the day-to-day hustle of parenting and teaching (my full-time employment), coupled with a recent increase in responsibilities within our congregation and - admittedly - various distractions I permit to occupy my free-time I have unfortunately allowed this blog to fall by the wayside.

It's actually a bit of work to share my lessons on here as I cannot simply copy and paste my outlines, but have to often re-edit them to make them more palpable for a blog format.  So not only do I spend time researching and writing out the lessons, but then to share them in this capacity I must set aside additional time for re-purposing them.  It's a fair bit of work!  But enough with the "pity party"...

I'm not sure how much of an audience I have with this blog anymore, but thank you to everyone who has been interested in these lessons from God's Word.  I hope to get back on track and once again begin making posts on a more regular basis in the near future.

Again, thank you, and as always, God bless!

- Jonathan

Ephesians 4:23