HE IS NEAR

SURELY WE HAVE HAD A MOMENT OR TIME IN OUR LIVES WHEN IT WAS SO BAD THAT THINGS SEEMED AS THOUGH THEY WOULD NEVER GET BETTER ...... OR STILL YET WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED THE HEARTFELT PAIN OF LOSING SOMEONE THAT WE LOVE ...... AND THEN THERE WERE THOSE NIGHTS WE COULD NOT SLEEP BECAUSE OF GUILT, WORRY OR LONELINESS ...... WE MAY EVEN BE SUFFERING THROUGH ONE OF THESE SITUATIONS RIGHT NOW ...... WE MAY BEGIN TO WONDER WHAT IS SO GOOD ABOUT GOD BEING GOOD ?...... IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES , PSALM 73 : 28 STATES , "But as for me , the nearness of GOD is my good ; I have made the LORD GOD my refuge , That I may tell of all YOUR works. " WHEN WE EXAMINE THIS LINE OF SCRIPTURE IT TELLS US THAT GOD ALONE IS GOOD ...... HE IS THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD ...... HIS NEARNESS IS ENOUGH FOR US ....... HE IS ALWAYS THERE , NEAR TO US , IN GOOD TIMES AND IN IN BAD ...... HIS PRESENCE IS ALL WE NEED WHETHER WE KNOW IT OR NOT ......AS CHRISTIANS WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NEVER TRULY ALONE ......THE LORD GOD SAYS , "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them , for the LORD your GOD goes with you ; HE will never leave you nor forsake you . " DEUTERONOMY 31:6 ......WE ARE CALLED TO PERSEVERE WHEN WE ARE GOING THROUGH TIMES IN OUR LIVES THAT TEST OUR FAITH ...... " Let us draw near to GOD with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith , having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water . " HEBREWS 10:22...... WE CAN REST IN THE SECURITY OF OUR SALVATION BECAUSE JESUS SACRIFICED HIS LIFE SO THAT WE MAY HAVE ETERNAL FREEDOM IN HEAVEN WITH HIM , OUR FATHER GOD AND HIS HOLY SPIRIT ..... THE REALITY OF IT IS THAT ALTHOUGH WE LIVE HERE FOR NOW OUR FOREVER HOME IS IN HEAVEN ...... "Therefore , since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens , JESUS the SON of GOD , let us hold firmly to the faith we profess . For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses , but we have one who has been tempted in every way , just as we are - yet was without sin . Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence , so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need . " HEBREWS 4:14-16 ...... THE WORD OF GOD SHEDS LIGHT ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO WHILE WE ARE HERE IN THIS WORLD ...... THE SCRIPTURES ALSO REVEAL HOW WE NEED TO LIVE , WHETHER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN OUR LIVES ARE GOING GOOD OR BAD ....... KNOWING THAT OUR LORD NEVER LEAVES US NOR FORSAKES US SETS A PRECEDENCE FOR US TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST WITH OURSELVES AND ASK A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION ..... ARE WE NEAR TO HIM ?............. SUMMER

WORDS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING

HOLY WORDS LONG PRESERVED ...... FOR OUR WALK IN THIS WORLD ......THEY RESOUND WITH GOD'S OWN HEART...... OH , LET THE ANCIENT WORDS IMPART . WORDS OF LIFE , WORDS OF HOPE , GIVE US STRENGTH , HELP US GROW IN THIS WORLD , WHERE E'ER WE ROAM , THE ANCIENT WORDS WILL GUIDE US HOME . ANCIENT WORDS EVER TRUE ...... CHANGING ME AND CHANGING YOU ......WE HAVE COME WITH OPEN HEARTS .......O LET THE ANCIENT WORDS IMPART......ANCIENT WORDS , PIERCING THROUGH .......LET OUR MINDS BE RENEWED ......TEACH US FAITH LIKE THE YOUNG .......AND LINGER LONG UPON OUR TONGUE. HOLY WORDS , GREAT DELIGHT ! BREAD BY DAY , SWORD BY NIGHT ...... GUARDIAN ON THE PATHS WE'VE TROD ...... NOW UPWARD LIFT OUR THOUGHTS TOWARD GOD . ANCIENT WORDS EVER TRUE ......CHANGING ME AND CHANGING YOU...... WE HAVE COME WITH OPEN HEARTS ...... O LET THE ANCIENT WORDS IMPART ...... ANCIENT WORD CAME IN FLESH...... SECOND ADAM'S VITAL BREATH ...... SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN ...... AS A MORTAL DRESSED , THE GREAT I AM. JESUS CHRIST WORD OF GOD ......MARY'S LAMB ,JESSE'S ROD ......LONG FORETOLD BY PROPHESY , STILL WE FIND OUR JOY IN GOD'S DECREES . ANCIENT WORDS EVER TRUE ......CHANGING ME AND CHANGING YOU ...... WE HAVE COME WITH OPEN HEARTS ......O LET THE ANCIENT WORDS IMPART ....... These poetic phrases are not only true but they sink deep into the heart of every person who calls themselves a christian ....... Thank You Lynn Deshazo for bringing us such beautiful words to this painfully afflicted and sinful world ...................................................Summer

LOVE

THE WORD LOVE IS USED OVER AND OVER IN OUR SOCIETY TO EXPLAIN , DESCRIBE OR DENOTE OUR " FEELINGS " ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIFE , AN EXPERIENCE WE HAVE HAD OR THE RELATIONSHIP WE ACQUIRE WITH ALL OF OUR " STUFF " ...................... OUR LORD GOD HAS A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THIS SUBJECT ..................... IN CHAPTER 13 OF 1st CORINTHIANS GOD CLEARLY EXPLAINS , DESCRIBES AND DENOTES WHAT LOVE IS , READ ON TO DISCOVER HIS MAJESTY'S INFINITE WISDOM ON A VERY VERY OLD SUBJECT : "And now I will show you the most excellent way . If I speak in tongues of men and of angels , but have not love , I am like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal . If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all the mysteries and all knowledge , and if I have faith that can move mountains , but have not love , I am nothing . If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames , but have not love , I gain nothing . Love is patient , love is kind . It does not envy , it does not boast , it is not proud . It is not rude , it is not self- seeking , it is not easily angered , it keeps no record of wrongs . Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth . It always protects , always trusts , always hopes , always perseveres . Love never fails . But where there are prophesies , they will cease ; where there are tongues , they will be stilled ; where there is knowledge , it will pass away . For we know in part and we prophesy in part , but when perfection comes , the imperfect disappears . When I was a child , I talked like a child , I thought like a child , I reasoned like a child . When I became a man , I put childish ways behind me . Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror ; then we shall see face to face . Now I know in part ; then I shall know fully , even as I am fully known . And now these three things remain : faith , hope and love . But the greatest of these is love . "..................... OUR HUMAN INTERPRETATION OF LOVE IS MARRED BY OUR SINFUL NATURE AND INABILITY TO EMULATE THESE BEAUTIFUL SCRIPTURES ABOVE .......... WE CAN TRY , BUT SOONER OR LATER WE FAIL TO MEET THESE STANDARDS .......... WITHOUT HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LORD GOD IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT REAL LOVE IS .............. STILL YET WE CONTINUE TO MISS THE " MARK " .......KNOWING JESUS SETS US FREE FROM THE CONDEMNATION AND GUILT AND PAIN WE EXPERIENCE WHEN WE CANNOT BE PERFECT ........HAVING A DEEP AND ABIDING RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SAVIOUR ALSO TEACHES US HOW TO LOVE WITH A PURE HEART ............ IF WE ARE NOT SURE WHETHER WE KNOW WHAT TRUE GODLY IS THEN WE NEED TO START BY ASKING THE LORD FOR FORGIVENESS THAT WE HAVE GONE AGAINST HIS TEACHINGS AND THEN ASK HIM TO OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THE TRUE MEANING OF WHAT HIS LOVE IS AND HOW WE CAN EMULATE THIS KIND OF LOVE ............................. HAVE A GOOD DAY AND REMEMBER THAT JESUS LOVES US VERY VERY MUCH...........................SUMMER

SOME OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES WITH 2 TIMOTHY 3 : 16-17 IN MIND

" In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth . " GENESIS 1:1

" So GOD created man in HIS own image , in the image of GOD HE created him ;
male and female he created them . " GENESIS 1:27

" The LORD GOD said , " It is not good for man to be alone . I will make a helper
suitable for him. " GENESIS 2:18

" Then the LORD GOD made a woman from the rib HE had taken out of the man ,
and HE brought her to the man . The man said , " This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh ; she shall be called woman , for she was taken out of man .
For this reason a man shall will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife , and they will become one flesh . " GENESIS 2:22-24

" There the LORD made a decree and a law for them (the Israelites ) , and there
HE tested them . HE said , "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your
GOD and do what is right in HIS eyes , if you pay attention to HIS commands
and keep all HIS decrees , I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought
on the Egyptians , for I AM the LORD who heals you . " EXODUS 16 :26

" Hear , O Israel: The LORD our GOD , the LORD is one. Love the LORD your GOD
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength . These
commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts . Impress
them upon your children . " DEUTERONOMY 6:4-7a

" But the LORD said to Samuel , " Do not consider his appearance or his height
for I have rejected him . The LORD does not look at the things man looks at .
Man looks at the outward appearance , but the LORD looks at the heart .
1 SAMUEL 16:7

" If MY people , who are called by MY name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek MY face and turn from their wicked ways , then I will hear from
heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land . "
2 CHRONICLES 7:14

" Can a mortal be more righteous than GOD ? Can a man be more pure than his
MAKER ? " JOB 4:17

" And HE said to man , ' The fear of the LORD -that is wisdom , and to shun evil
is understanding . " JOB 28:28

" The LORD is my Shepherd , I shall not be in want . " PSALM 23 :1

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all wisdom. PSALM 111:10a

"How can young man keep his way pure? By living according to YOUR WORD.
PSALM 119:9

" Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding
in all your ways acknowledge HIM , and HE will make straight your path ."
PROVERBS 3:5-6

"There is a way that seems right to a man , but in the end it leads to death ."
PROVERBS 14:12

" A friend loves at all times , and a brother is born for adversity."
PROVERBS 17:17

" Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler ; whoever is led astray by them is not
wise." PROVERBS 20:1

" There is no wisdom , no insight , no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
PROVERBS 21:30

" Train a child in the way he should , and when he is old he will not depart from
it. " PROVERBS 22:6

" If you lack the means to pay , your very bed will be snatched under from you ."
PROVERBS 22:27

" Do not answer a fool according to his folly , or you will be like him yourself."
PROVERBS 26:4

" As a dog returns to its vomit , so a fool repeats his folly." PROVERBS 26:11

" A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day."
PROVERBS27:15

"A wife of noble character who can find ? She is worth far more than rubies."
PROVERBS 31:10

" Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting ; but a woman who fears the LORD
is to be praised . " PROVERBS 31:30

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."
ECCLESIASTES 3:1

"For to us a Child is born , to us a Son is given, and the government will be on HIS
shoulders. And HE will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD,
EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE of PEACE. Of the increase of HIS government
and peace there will be no end . HE will reign on David's throne and over HIS
KINGDOM, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from
that time on and forever." ISAIAH 9:6-7

" For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the SOVEREIGN LORD.
Repent and live !" EZEKIEL 18:32

" Even now," declares the LORD ," return to me with all your heart, with fasting
and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return
to the LORD your GOD , for HE is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger
and abounding in love, and HE relents from sending calamity." JOEL 2:12-13

May CHRIST be with you.................................................Summer

WHO IS YOUR GOD

ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO DO AS A FOLLOWER OF THE LORD JESUS IS TO COME AWAY FROM FALSE WORSHIP .................... WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING THAT DRAWS OUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE TRUTH OF GODS WORD ,WHICH IS SPOKEN IN THE BIBLE................IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WE READ , " But the LORD is the true GOD ; HE is the living GOD , the eternal KING . When HE is angry , the earth trembles ; the nations cannot endure HIS wrath . Tell them this : ' These gods , who did not make the heavens and earth , will perish from the earth and from under the heavens . " JEREMIAH 10 : 10-11....................SUCH RIVETING WORDS FOR ANY ONE WHO HAS A CONSCIENCE YET IT IS SO DIFFICULT FOR US TO FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS AND COME TO GRIPS WITH WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US ...............OH YES WE READ IT AND WE LEARN IT AND WE MAY EVEN TAKE IT IN LIKE A COLD DRINK ON A WARM DAY ..................... STILL YET WE FOLLOW IT , THE WORD THAT IS , UNTIL SOMETHING BETTER OR MORE INTERESTING OR TRENDY COMES ALONG AND THEN WE ARE LURED , JUST AS A FISH SWIMS TO THE BAIT .....................THAT'S HOW SATAN IS, HE BAITS US UNTIL WE'RE HOOKED .....................SOME OF US WILL FEEL THE DEEP WOUND FROM THE HOOK AND DIE ..............................SOME WILL PULL AWAY FROM THE HOOK ITSELF LEAVING A DEEP SCAR ..................... FEW WILL ACTUALLY SWIM THE OTHER WAY TO FIND THE REAL BREAD OF LIFE .................... IN MATTHEW 6:19-24 WE READ , "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth , where moth and rust destroy , and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where moth and rust do not destroy , and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is , there your heart will also . The eye is lamp of the body . If your eyes are good , your whole body will be full of light . But if your eyes are bad , your whole body will be full of darkness, how great is that darkness . No one can serve two masters . Either he will hate the one and love the other , or he will be devoted to one and despise the other . You cannot serve both GOD and MONEY . " LIFE IS VERY HARD ........... WE WILL ALWAYS MISS THE MARK ..................... IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT JESUS IS ALL LOVING , ALL FORGIVING AND ALWAYS THERE FOR US TO TURN TO .......................... IT IS NEVER TOO LATE FOR US TO ASK HIM TO SOFTEN OUR HEARTS SO WE MAY ENJOY THE ABUNDANCE OF A FULL LIFE ........................ NOT A PERFECT LIFE BUT A FULL LIFE .....................SO I ASK , " WHO IS YOUR GOD ..................................................SUMMER

A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN

" No eye has seen , no ear has heard , and no mind has imagined what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM . But it was to us that GOD revealed these things by HIS SPIRIT . For HIS SPIRIT searches out everything and shows us GOD'S deep secrets. " 1CORINTHIANS 2:9-10 ........ THIS SCRIPTURE IS WONDERFUL AND HAS A PROMISE WITHIN IT FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND LOVE THE LORD . AND ALTHOUGH ITS CONTEXT ISN'T SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT HEAVEN , IT DOES REVEAL TO BELIEVERS THAT GOD DOES SPEAK OF THINGS IN HIS WORD THAT HE WANTS US TO KNOW ABOUT ........... WHEN HE SPEAKS OF HEAVEN HE WANTS US TO ANTICIPATE WHAT LIES AHEAD ........ ONE WOULD ASK IF HEAVEN IS BEYOND OUR IMAGINATION ? 2 TIMOTHY 2:7 TELLS US "Consider what I say, and may the LORD give you understanding in all things . " WE CANNOT ANTICIPATE WHAT WE CAN'T IMAGINE ................GOD GIVES US A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN ; A GARDEN , A CITY , AND A KINGDOM ARE ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF GODS PLACE WHERE HE CALLS HOME ..........SOME WOULD SAY THAT THESE DESCRIPTIONS ARE ANALOGIES BUT THE SCRIPTURES MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT OUR LORD JESUS IS PREPARING A PLACE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM WHEN HE SPEAKS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 14: 1-12 " Let not your heart be troubled ; you believe in GOD , believe also in ME. In MY FATHERS 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 . Thomas said to HIM, '' LORD we do not know where YOU are going , and how can we know the way ? '' JESUS said to him , ''I am the the way , the truth , and the life . No one comes to the FATHER except through ME . If you had known ME , you would have known MY FATHER also ; and from now on you know HIM and have seen HIM . " Phillip said to HIM , '' LORD show us the FATHER , and it is sufficient for us . '' JESUS said to him ,'' Have I been with you so long , and yet you have not known ME Phillip ? He who has seen ME , has seen the FATHER ; so how can you say , ' Show us the FATHER ?' Do you not believe that I am in the FATHER , and the FATHER in ME ? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on MY own authority ; but the FATHER who dwells in ME does the works . Believe ME that I am in the FATHER and the FATHER in ME , or else believe ME for the sake of the works themselves . " WE NEED TO ASK FOR GOD'S HELP TO REMOVE THE WAX PAPER FROM OVER OUR EYES SO THAT ANY FALSE INTERPRETATIONS ABOUT HEAVEN ARE REPLACED WITH SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS ..........IT IS TRUE THAT OUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS TRYING TO DISTORT GODS WORD AND DEVOUR US 1PETER 5 :8 '' Be sober , be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion , seeking whom he may devour . " NOW IF THAT ISN'T A LINE OF SCRIPTURE TO KEEP US SOBER !! ...........SOME OF SATAN'S FAVORITE LIES ARE THAT HE NOR GOD NOR HEAVEN NOR HELL EVEN EXIST ........ A VERY CLEVER WAY TO ROB US OF OUR JOY ............ROMANS 8 :38-39 IS VERY CLEAR TO SAY , " 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 . '' TODAY MAY BE A GOOD DAY TO PONDER ON WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN ......... JOHN 3 : 16 SAYS, " GOD so loved the world that he gave HIS one and only SON , so that everyone who believes in HIM will not perish but have eternal life . " JUST AS ROMANS 10 :9 STATES , " If you confess with your mouth that JESUS is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead , you will be saved . " WHETHER WE AGREE WITH GOD OR NOT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE HE HAS THE FINAL SAY BUT WHAT DOES MATTER TO HIM IS WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL ACCEPT HIS FREE GIFT OF SALVATION HENCE REMOVING FROM US OUR FEAR OF DYING JUST AS IN HEBREWS 2:14-15 SAYS, " Because GOD'S children are human beings - made of flesh and blood - the SON also became flesh and blood . For only as a human being could HE die , and only by dying could HE break the power of death . Only in this way could HE set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. " IS TODAY THE DAY ?? .........................................SUMMER

GLORY TO FOLLOW

"If you are insulted because of the name of CHRIST , you are blessed , for the SPIRIT of glory and of GOD rests on you. " 1 PETER 4: 14 .......... HAVE YOU EVER BEEN MOCKED , INSULTED , CHALLENGED , HARASSED, PERSECUTED, IGNORED , CAST ASIDE , RIDICULED OR MAYBE EVEN HATED BECAUSE YOU LOVE CHRIST ?......... IF SO WE NEED TO SERIOUSLY TAKE COMFORT IN THE SCRIPTURE ABOVE ........... IT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT BECAUSE WE FEEL MORE ALONE THAN EVER, HOWEVER JESUS WANTS US KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE SUFFER FOR HIS NAME SAKE NOW , THERE WILL BE GLORY TO FOLLOW ............. WHEN WE STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND FIND OURSELVES THE TARGET OF SUFFERING, WE SHARE IN LORD'S SUFFERINGS AS WELL ....... JESUS CHRIST WAS THE LAST BLOOD SACRIFICE ......... HE DID NOT DIE IN VAIN .......... AFTER HIS DEATH , THERE WAS GLORY IN HIS RESURRECTION AND THE ETERNITY OF LIFE IN HEAVEN FOR ALL WHO CALL UPON THE HIS NAME AND REPENT OF THEIR SINFUL WAYS .......... ONE DAY OUR PAIN AND SUFFERINGS WILL BE NO MORE AS IT GIVES WAY TO THE GLORY THAT CAN ONLY BE HAD FROM A LOVING AND RIGHTEOUS GOD .......... THE GOD WHO SENT HIS SON JESUS TO DIE FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN , YET IRONICALLY ,NOT ALL MEN AND WOMEN WILL COME TO BELIEVE THIS.......... SO HENCE, THERE WILL BE SUFFERING FOR THOSE WHO DO BELIEVE ...........PETER CALLS US TO A LIFE OF HOLINESS THAT IS A REFLECTION OF OUR JEHOVAH GOD ......... PETER ALSO ASKS US TO BE HUMBLE , JUST AS OUR LORD JESUS WAS HUMBLE , WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH ALL PEOPLE .........LISTEN TO WHAT CHRIST HAS TO SAY ABOUT RETALIATION : " You have heard that it was said , ' Eye for eye , and tooth for tooth . But I tell you , Do not resist an evil person . If someone strikes you on the right cheek , turn to him the other also . And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic , let him have your cloak as well . If someone forces you to go one mile , go with him two miles . Give to the one who asks you , and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you . You have heard that it was said , ' Love your neighbor and hate your enemy .' But I tell you : Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you , that you may be sons of your FATHER in heaven . He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good , and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous . If you love those who love you , what reward will you get ? Are not even the tax collectors doing that ? And if you greet only your brothers , what are you doing more than others ? Do not even pagans do that ? Be perfect , therefore , as your heavenly FATHER is perfect . " MATTHEW 5 : 38-48....WE NEED TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS AND LESS LIKE OURSELVES ........PETER TELLS US OF THE PROPHETS WHO WROTE ABOUT CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS , " Concerning this salvation , the prophets,who spoke of the grace that was to come to you , searched intently and with the greatest care , trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the SPIRIT of CHRIST in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of CHRIST and the glories that would follow . " 1 PETER 1: 10 - 11 .......... TO BE AS CHRIST WOULD HAVE US TO BE REQUIRES US TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ............ BY STUDYING HIS WORD WE COME TO UNDERSTAND WHO OUR SAVIOUR IS .........HIS WORD ALSO TEACHES US WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US SO THAT IN RETURN WE ARE ABLE LOOK FORWARD TO THE GLORY THAT WILL FOLLOW ......................................................................SUMMER