We read in Luke 2:25-32 of a devout man named Simeon, to whom it was revealed by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And upon seeing the young Jesus as He and His family entered the temple, he announced, "Mine eyes have seen Thy salvation..."

Salvation is a person... that person is Jesus Christ.

This is why we must "work out our salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil. 2:12) Because salvation is not something we possess that merely grants a legal pardon from our sins, no. Salvation is Someone in whom we belong. It is participation in a transformative relationship.

As we read in 2 Peter 1:4, our trusting faith in Christ and His promises allow us to participate in the divine nature.

Christ does not ask humanity to imitate holiness from afar, He shares His life so that we can take part in it. It is communal and cosmic. It is relational because we humans become what we behold. (2 Corinthians 3:18, Romans 8:29, Colossians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 15:49)

I just posted for the first time in a while, and it's on a topic not discussed as frequently as it should be. What do you pray to the Spirit?

Revelations 12:11 / 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Luke 10:19 / 19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Hey there lil brother/sister in Christ! Welcome to the spiritual family, I'm so excited to have you!

The cornerstone of our faith is Jesus Christ... because without His life, burial, resurrection and promise to return again... we have nothing. That being said, the Gospels are the best place to start. If you don't know, the Gospels are New Testament books called Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. They tell the story of Jesus' life through the eyes of different disciples who followed him and tried to put his teachings into practice. I would say the book of John is where you should start; learn about how Jesus lived his life as our example in the flesh and learn about how much He loves you.

The Bible tells us to pray for the wisdom to understand, so it may be helpful to do this before beginning your studies!

"If any man lacks wisdom, let him ask it of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

James Chapter One, Verse Five

Trouble on the High Seas: Caught in the Storm (Acts chapter 27, verses 13-29) You are about to read a brief excerpt from my Christian nonfiction book, “The Social Gospel Teaching Series Vol. 2: the Acts of the Apostles” by Rev. Paul J. Bern (c) copyright 2022 by Rev. Paul J. Bern, all rights reserved; available exclusively from this link Last week in our ongoing Biblical study series of the…