“Know the Lord for yourself”, advise from a mother to her son. Our dear brother in Christ, James Hall (volunteer in MCDF) was given this advice from his mother as a young believer.” And they shall not teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. Hebrews 8:11 KJV Paul encourages us as true believers in Jesus Christ, “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless, but what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”. Phillipians 3:4-14 KJV No where in God’s Word does it say to trust in people, places or things. FLESH= Following Long Established Self-Centered Habits. The Word of God teaches, “die to your Flesh and to live by FAITH= Forgetting All I Trust Him. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phillipians 1:21 KJV Simply the more we die to our Flesh and those desires that so easily entangle us and keep us in bondage, the more room we give the Holy Spirit to activate the Faith of Jesus Christ in our mortal bodies. John the Baptist said, “He must increase, but I must decrease”. John 3:30 KJV John always pointed to (Jesus Christ the Messiah) greater than Himself who would Baptize believers with the Holy Spirit and Fire. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. Acts 1:3 KJV Each believer was set on fire with a personal relationship with their Lord & Savior. Jesus commanded His followers to Wait for the Promise of the Father before He ascended into Heaven. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received Him out of their sight. Acts 1:8-9 KJV

Lord Jesus, I want to know you as I am known. I die to my flesh and ask to be filled with the Holy Spirit and Power. Amen

Love always, Tom & Beth   

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