Many years on this blog I mark a very important date in my own life: January 9. And not just because it is my wonderful mother-in-law’s birthday.

Two of my more favorite passages from the Bible are these:

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7‭-‬8, ESV

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12, ESV

What wisdom do we gain by considering our lives and drawing near to God?

Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:3, ESV

So, every January 9, I celebrate my Re-Birthday, the day I was born again by faith in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And on January 9, 2020, (specifically, at 6:47 pm CST), I am celebrating 20 years as a Christian.

And I think people should celebrate their salvation much more than we do, to show the world the joy of the world to bring others to glorify the Lord.

Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord, exulting in his salvation.
Psalm 35:9, ESV

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

Psalms 40:16 ESV

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Jude 1:3, ESV

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16, ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:14‭, ‬17, ESV