“But anyone who lives by the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be shown to be accomplished by God.”
John 3:21, CSB
We are saved in Christ alone, and this salvation is surely the work of God. We join in His work, but He saves by His truth and grace when our faith meets His love.
“Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.”
Luke 7:47, CSB
We find salvation from sin and God’s wrath in Christ alone. We know that His love provided the impetus to save us, and that should push us to love with the same kind of love, knowing we are unconditionally loved and forgiven.
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38, CSB
Salvation from sin and God’s wrath is in Christ alone, and all it requires is faithful in the work done on His cross and a willingness to change (repentance).
For am I now trying to persuade people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Galatians 1:10, CSB
We are called to be priests under our High Priest, and while we seek to bring others along, our first devotion is to please God in every area of our lives. This includes reaching others through His love.
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2, CSB
We are called to be priests under our High Priest, and by the power of the Holy Spirit He transforms our thinking and actions to be more like Christ.
“Do not remember the past events; pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19, CSB
We are called to be priests under our High Priest, which is different from the Mosaic Covenant. By Christ’s redemptive work, all whose faith is in that work is made a priest to share the gospel of Christ and help each other grow closer to Him.
Quite a bit of this, I admit, I just copied and pasted! I changed and added what was needed.
Did you know more stuff happened this year? (* extreme sarcasm)
On some positive notes, my Youth Group managed to have a lot of fun this year, and the Instructional Assistant (one step below professor, but I still teach … but mostly grade work and keep students on task) for Christian Worldview at Grand Canyon University job continues proving fruitful in many ways. A big one is that I personally have gotten to lead several people to faith in Christ and help others grow deeper in their faith, as well as helping some who had been antagonistic to religion in general and Christianity in particular be more open-minded. That is pretty cool. This next semester I also get to help with teaching Philosophy. This should be helpful with apologetics.
I had a full year in seminary, including taking biblical Hebrew. Unlike many seminarians who get super-academic and feel the need to give their hearers “all the information” and then find themselves getting pulled out of the devotional side of Bible reading and discipleship, I actually found my love for ministry deepening and my teachings getting more pastoral and *gasp* fun!
Oh, and apparently there was a presidential election. (*more sarcasm about a very true thing)
Overall, we had a good year.
And God is still good and in control.
This next year will definitely be … 2025.
In any event, may you receive an abundance of bunches of blessings this year. And though life may take some effort to trudge through, fall on the promises of God, this year and always.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5, ESV
We are all called to priests under our High Priest, and we do this by living in, by, and through the indwelling Word. Know the Scriptures to know Jesus better, and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you ever more into His likeness.
Do we truly love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strengths? Maybe I can help with the mind part, at least! This is Daniel M. Klem, apparent poet, reluctant yet passionate Disciple (Peter?), and foolish man attempting to understand theology!
a simple man of God 