JESUS HAS BROUGHT US SAFE THUS FAR

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
‘Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and GRACE WILL LEAD ME HOME.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

John Newton, a reformed slave trader, was converted during a severe storm, Newton then served as a mate and then as captain of a number of slave ships, hoping as a Christian to restrain the worst excesses of the slave trade, “promoting the life of God in the soul” of both his crew and his African slaves. Amazing] “GRACE AND PEACE TO YOU FROM GOD OUR FATHER AND THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” (2 Corin. 1:2) [We thank you Abba Father that we are saved BY GRACE through faith (Eph 2:8) this is not from ourselves, GRACE IS THE GIFT OF GOD– not by our works, so that no one can boast.] “But he giveth MORE GRACE. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth [opposes] the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” (James 4:6) [Dad Foster (my wonderful father-in-law) and I discussed the grace of God quite often. He would remind me how amazing God’s grace was in my life to save me from drugs and alcohol and all the wickedness that goes along with that kind of lifestyle. Then God would “honor” me by calling me to preach the gospel, Dad loved to preach the word! He told me that God gave me Debbie to be my wife (who had never indulged in any of the sinful things as I did) to temper me, and what a wonderful, godly wife she has been for these past 40 years, I am so blessed to have married her and become a part of the wonderful Foster family!! That’s why this passage is so meaningful to me:] “Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR A GODLY LIFE through our knowledge of him who CALLED US BY HIS OWN GLORY AND GOODNESS.” (2 Pet. 1:2-3)

Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that HE HAS CALLED US BY HIS OWN GLORY AND GOODNESS!
=Bill Stockham