First of all I want to THANK all of you who have given so far. I have already well surpassed my support raising goal for the month of August which is a HUGE blessing to me. Through generous gifts I will be going to the nations and sharing the love of God! How awesome is that?!?!
“make every
effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge.”
— 2 Peter 1:5-6
If you would enjoy eminent grace of the
full assurance of faith, under the blessed Spirit’s influence and assistance,
do what the Scripture tells you: Make
every effort.“ Take care that
your faith is the right kind – that
it is not a mere belief of doctrine, but a simple faith, depending on Christ
and on Christ alone. Pay careful
attention to your courage. Plead with God that He would give you
the face of a lion, that you may, with a consciousness of right, go on
boldly. Study the Scriptures
diligently and get knowledge, for a
knowledge of doctrine will help you a great deal to confirm faith. Try to understand God’s Word; let it
dwell in your heart richly.
When
you have done this, add to your “knowledge… self-control.” Pay attention to your body and
soul. Be controlled in speech,
life, heart, and thought. Add to
this, by God’s Holy Spirit, patience;
ask Him to give you that patience that endures affliction, which, when it it
tried, will come forth as gold.
Array yourself with patience so that you do not murmur or be depressed
in your afflictions. When that grace
is won, look to godliness. Godliness is something more than
religion. Make God’s glory the
object of your life; live in His sight; dwell close to Him; seek fellowship
with Him; then you will have “godliness”; and to that add brotherly love. Have
love for all the saints: and add to that a charity
that opens its arms to all men and loves their souls. When you are adorned with these jewels,
and just in proportion as you practice these heavenly virtues, you will come to
know by clearest evidence “your calling and election.” “Make every effort,” if you would get
great assurance, for lukewarmness and doubting go very naturally hand in hand.
