Idlewild Movie in Park

The movie night is on at Idlewild Park in Suamico. We will be showing "Fireproof" at 8:30pm in the enclosed pavilion. Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device from U.S. Cellular

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Acts 8

I am studying Acts 8 and enjoying watching Acts 1:8 happen!  Believers are witnesses in Jerusalem-Judea-and-Samaria-then later comes the utter most part of the world.  Those of us who embrace Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior know the joy of what it means for the witness of Him to reach us!  

What is this witness:

1.   God is Holy and righteous and created us for His glory to shine with His righteousness.  (Genesis 1)

2.  Man has rejected their creator and has become sinful by nature.  We are in rebellion against God.  We deserve His punishment. (Genesis 3; Rom. 3:10-17;23; Romans 6:23)

3.  God has provided Salvation from sin and God's punishment for sin is in Christ alone.

a.  Jesus is God (John 1:1)

b.  He became a man  (John 1:14; Luke 2)

c.  He is sinless (2 Cor. 5:21)

d. He died to pay for our sin.  (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Titus 3:5-6)

e.  He rose from the dead and returned to the Father.  God accepted His righteous life and His sacrificial death as a substitute for those who turn to Him.  (Romans 1:4)

4.  If we turn away from our sin and turn in faith to trust in Him (His person and work on the cross) God forgives us and covers us with the righteousness of His Son.  We become His true children.  (John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10;13; Acts 16:31).  We recognize that we could never be good enough for God, but Christ is good enough for Him and we become good in Christ.  (Eph. 2:8-9)

5.   Those who turn to Him embrace a knew master and have a new heart to live for Him.  We look forward to eternal life with Him in the new heavens and earth.  We are witnesses of Him.  (1 John 2:3-6; 2 Cor. 5:17; Acts 1:8; Revelation 21)

Have you responded to the good news of Christ in faith?

Acts 16:31 “...Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”  (NASB)

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip 

preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.

(NASB)

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Literally Critical

I have been preparing for a teaching on taking scripture literally and the importance of the words of scripture having a single meaning.  I am reminded again how important it is for us to take God's word in its plain and literal sense.  God wants to communicate with us and it is our job to understand what He says through the power of the illumination of the Spirit of God.  (2 Tim 2:15) 

God does not like to be misquoted!

Jeremiah 23:31–39 (NASB95)

31 “Behold, I am against the prophets,” declares the Lord, “who use their tongues and declare, ‘The Lord declares.’

32 “Behold, I am against those who have prophesied false dreams,” declares the Lord, “and related them and led My people astray by their falsehoods and reckless boasting; yet I did not send them or command them, nor do they furnish this people the slightest benefit,” declares the Lord.

33 “Now when this people or the prophet or a priest asks you saying, ‘What is the oracle of the Lord?’ then you shall say to them, ‘What oracle?’ The Lord declares, ‘I will abandon you.’

34 “Then as for the prophet or the priest or the people who say, ‘The oracle of the Lord,’ I will bring punishment upon that man and his household.

35 “Thus will each of you say to his neighbor and to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ or, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’

36 “For you will no longer remember the oracle of the Lord, because every man’s own word will become the oracle, and you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God.

37 “Thus you will say to that prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’

38 “For if you say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ surely thus says the Lord, ‘Because you said this word, “The oracle of the Lord!” I have also sent to you, saying, “You shall not say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ ” ’

39 “Therefore behold, I will surely forget you and cast you away from My presence, along with the city which I gave you and your fathers. 

If churches today pervert His word God's also loathes their claim to be proclaiming His word!

May we seek to understand His Word and act upon it!  And may we not twist His word to our own ends.  

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Thoughts for the Lawn Mower

Well, today is my day off and it always goes fast spending time with the family and just getting things done around the house.  The grass is about 6 inches long, so I will soon be on the mower.  This morning I read from 2 Corinthians 3.  Paul was talking about the glory of the new covenant.  I was struck again by the amazing privilege that it is to have the veil of the old testament removed through Christ.  To see the brightness of Christ's glory as the one who fulfilled all of God's promises as Savior and Lord!  When we minister in the confidence of the Spirit of Christ through the word of Christ, the people whose lives are transformed through this ministry are our letter of commendation from the Lord!  As we see Christ face to face in His word we are being transformed to be more like Him, so that we can shine His glory to the world!  Awesome!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (NASB95)

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

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Christian Fellowship and Integrity

Had a great meeting with a brother in Christ today.  We talked about Integrity.  It was great to be accountable to one another and encourage one another.  

It has been said that integrity is doing exactly what you say you will do.  R. Kent Hughes defines it this way in his book Disciplines of a Godly Man:  being "righteous and honest through and through."  What a challenge!

When we are people of integrity we shine through with the righteousness that only comes by being filled with the righteousness of Christ Jesus through the Spirit!  This can only happen when we realize that all of our human righteousness amounts to filthiness to God (Is. 64:6), and we embrace Christ who died for us and rose again and has become our righteousness!  (2 Cor. 5:21)

May this be our song regarding integrity:

Psalm 15 (NASB95)  A Psalm of David.

1 O Lord, who may abide in Your tent?

Who may dwell on Your holy hill?

2 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,

And speaks truth in his heart.

3 He does not slander with his tongue,

Nor does evil to his neighbor,

Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

4 In whose eyes a reprobate is despised,

But who honors those who fear the Lord;

He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

5 He does not put out his money at interest,

Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things will never be shaken.   

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Thank God for Vacations!

I am still rejoicing in the great vacation that we had together as a family in Florida.  We saw many sights and caught up with relatives there.  The greatest blessing was just to slow down and celebrate the wonderful marriage and family that God has given to Chrissy and myself.  Something about taking some time off allows us to take stock of what God has given to us.  Hours of unhurried time with my wife and with my kids reminds me of just how precious they are to me.  Chrissy and I celebrated our nine year anniversary and reflected on God blessings in bringing us together.  Micah, Josiah, and Samantha enjoyed many vacation activities, but the highlight was just being together.  What a joy to be able to say yes and yes and yes to swimming and fun together!

We were also able to take stock of the grace and salvation that we have been given in Christ.  What a great Savior!

Psalm 103 (NASB95)

Psalm 103

Praise for the Lord’s Mercies.

A Psalm of David.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,

And forget none of His benefits;

3 Who pardons all your iniquities,

Who heals all your diseases;

4 Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;

5 Who satisfies your years with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

6 The Lord performs righteous deeds

And judgments for all who are oppressed.

7 He made known His ways to Moses,

His acts to the sons of Israel.

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.

9 He will not always strive with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.

12 As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

14 For He Himself knows our frame;

He is mindful that we are but dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass;

As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,

And its place acknowledges it no longer.

17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,

And His righteousness to children’s children,

18 To those who keep His covenant

And remember His precepts to do them.

19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,

And His sovereignty rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Mighty in strength, who perform His word,

Obeying the voice of His word!

21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts,

You who serve Him, doing His will.

22 Bless the Lord, all you works of His,

In all places of His dominion;

Bless the Lord, O my soul!   

Caleb Azure

Pastor of Student Ministries

Bethel Baptist Church

920-360-4071

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Love Them Well

I am praying for a family in our church who lost a son today--cut down in the prime of life.  My God grant them His all sufficient grace and comfort during this time.  Praying also for a man who lost His brother later in life.  

May we love our loved ones well as they did with gospel love!

Psalm 42:1–11 (NASB95)

1 As the deer pants for the water brooks,

So my soul pants for You, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;

When shall I come and appear before God?

3 My tears have been my food day and night,

While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

4 These things I remember and I pour out my soul within me.

For I used to go along with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God,

With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.

5 Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become disturbed within me?

Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him

For the help of His presence.

6 O my God, my soul is in despair within me;

Therefore I remember You from the land of the Jordan

And the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep calls to deep at the sound of Your waterfalls;

All Your breakers and Your waves have rolled over me.

8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime;

And His song will be with me in the night,

A prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God my rock, “Why have You forgotten me?

Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

10 As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me,

While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

11 Why are you in despair, O my soul?

And why have you become disturbed within me?

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him,

The help of my countenance and my God. 

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Thank God for Servants!

I am studying Acts 6 in which the Hellenistic Widows were being ignored in the daily serving of meals.  I am struck by the opportunity to reach out to those of all different culture background, and yet to do this we need an army of servants so that the leaders may devote themselves to the ministry of prayer and the word.  Every believer has gifts that are integral to the body!  The servants must be respectable and led by the spirit.  When it goes well by God's grace look what can happen!

Acts 6:7 (NASB95)

7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith. 

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Worship

Just read a great chapter in Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes on Worship.  Reminded that "worship doesn't just happen".  We must have a heart to be expectant and prepared to worship when we come together.  We must prepare our families for the corporate praise of God and we must thoughtful engage in worship in each aspect of the service.  

John 4:24!  

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Christ Centered Worship

I'm reading Bryan Chapell's book Christ Centered Worship. I am only a few chapters in right now, but I am finding the book very helpful and stimulating. How does the entirety of our worship service thoughtfully proclaim the gospel? Churches of the past have spent much time and thought on this. Chapell brings us up to speed!

One thought that jumped out at me in the last chapter is how Luther changed the Liturgy of the Roman church to take the focus off of the Roman priesthood and to include all of the people highlighting the priesthood of all of the believers. For this reason the Pastor did not dismiss the people with the benediction---instead the people sang it together pronouncing a blessing on each other! I like it!

Contemplations From Isaiah

In the book of Isaiah, God was fed up with false religiosity of Israel. They went through the motions of worship, but in their hearts they worshipped idols. They did not truly love God and therefore they did not truly love there neighbors. Instead of being a light to the world, they were a blight to the Lord.

To preserve His glory and their good God had to completely uproot Israel and replant them. They had completely lost sight of His holiness! This is what He reminds them of in Isaiah 6.

Have we lost sight of this exalted view of God? Is God small to us? Are we trying to manipulate Him to achieve our ends, or are we being humbled by His glory and presenting ourselves to Him for His ends?

Is. 6:1-8

1 In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple.
2 Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.
3 And one called out to another and said,
“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,
The whole earth is full of His glory.”
4 And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.
5 Then I said,
“Woe is me, for I am ruined!
Because I am a man of unclean lips,
And I live among a people of unclean lips;
For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”
6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.
7 He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
New American Standard Bible : 1995 update. 1995 (Is 6:1–8). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

I have been reflecting on these wonderful words of our Lord from Matt. 5:6 for the past couple of hours. What a delight to know that when we realize that we are spiritually bankrupt, and we weep over our condition, and we realize that we must turn away from our own way and embrace God's way, and we truly hunger and thirst for a righteousness that is beyond us (God's righteousness), that He will fill us with His righteousness through Christ!

2 Corinthians 5:21 He made Him to be sin for us Who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Thank you Jesus for dying for my sin on the cross and for rising up from the grave, so that you could forgive my sin and give me your perfect righteousness! May your righteousness be formed in me and flow out of me! (Phil. 1:9-11)

Rob Bell Not So Bad

You know as I think back and reflect on Velvet Elvis, I guess it wasn't so bad after all.







APRIL FOOLS!

Quick thoughts on a Wednesday Morning

1. Healthcare: Saddened by the thought that this healthcare bill will likely bring about more abortions in America and this time may implicate unwilling Americans in the process. May the Lord give us a way our of this implication. Glad that God is still on the throne and that His way is perfect. He is the great Physician! Looking forward to His health care plan when He brings His kingdom to earth!

2. March madness: My bracket is broke, but Michigan State holds hope for a reason to pay attention to this great spectacle!

3. Snow Storm in the east: better them than us! Nice and 50's here today!

4. More healthcare: Going to play some lunch b-ball at the YMCA. Sharing the rock and sharing the ROCK!

Have a great Wednesday!

Why Mark Time?

I have been thinking about goals for the next year. Why do we do this? Why do we make new years resolutions? Why do we look back at the past year or the past decade? We are creatures who desire to see progress and be productive. Why is that? it is because God made us to be productive. The question is: what are we producing?

Here are some verse that I want to be thinking about in this process:

Psalm 90:10-12 10 As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, Or if due to strength, eighty years, Yet their pride is but labor and sorrow; For soon it is gone and we fly away. 11 Who understands the power of Your anger And Your fury, according to the fear that is due You? 12 So teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.

Philippians 1:20-21 20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:9-11 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; 11 having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Colossians 3:1-4 1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.

1 Cor. 9:23-27 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Tim 1:5 But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

May Christ's goals for us be our goals for ourselves!

The Profound Simplicity of Christmas

In the midst of all the ridiculous commercialization of Christmas, may the true message of Christmas not be missed!

Behind the simple decree from Caesar Augustus that sent Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem was the profound sovereign decree of God that moved him to do this so that Jesus Christ the Son of God, the eternal King would be born in the city of David as prophesied in Micah 5:2!

The simple couple took a simple Journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, but their were profound kingdom implication because these two were descendants of David and the virgin born Savior would be the biological child of Mary and the child of God through the Holy Spirit, but would also have the legal right to the throne of David through Joseph who would adopt him! He fulfilled the prophecy of the King who would reign forever! (Lk. 1:32-33; 2 Sam. 7:12-13; 16)

The simple birth of Christ in Bethlehem in a shelter for animals near a simple inn was the humblest birth imaginable. He was laid in a manger: a feeding trough for animals. But this was nor ordinary baby! This was a profound babe! He was the son of God, the Savior of the world, the King of the ages, God Himself come in human flesh to rescue us! (Lk. 1:30-32; Is. 9:6)

The simple shepherds out in the field were the first to hear of the good news! The lowliest of all of the people of the Jews and yet they heard the most profound birth announcement. Suddenly their simple sheep pasture was filled with profound glory as an angel of the Lord appeared in brilliant light. The angels says, …, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. “This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:10-12 NASB95
A multitude of angels appear and sing praise to God for His wonderful work of bringing salvation to helpless mankind.

The shepherds exercise simple faith and go to see the babe in a manger: Christ the Lord! As they see Him they give a profound testimony about Him as they relate the pronouncement of what they had seen and heard. The simple people around the simple inn reel in profound wonder as the consider that this baby may be the Savior of the world! Mary treasures these things in her heart believing that her Son will be her Savior and the Savior of all of those who would believe on Him.

Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

Have you considered the profound simplicity of Christmas?

Abraham's Plight

How delightful was the newborn babe,
the child of promise had arrived,
the cherished birth of their old age,
the hope of all mankind survived.

He grew in strength and became a lad,
the apple of his parents eyes,
the first full son they'd ever had,
no good to him would be denied.

But then an awful command was given,
the word from up above,
offer him up to God in heaven,
your son the one you love!

Why would God take our son?
why must he now die?
Why would he take the one we love?
Why? was their heart's cry.

How could he be the hope for all,
How could God's word come true,
Abraham believed God the LORD,
and He knew just what he had to do.

The knife raised high into the air,
the lad with fear filled eyes,
the Voice from heaven stopped his hand,
God would provide the sacrifice!

Joyful tears flowed full and fell,
the boy would keep his life,
and so the hope remained alive,
the hope that points to Christ!

Crossroads Bible Studies Underway!

Four lovely couples are gathering together with us to study The Stranger , an overview of the message of the Bible. We are having a wonderful time and learning much together. So far we have covered an overview of who God is according to the Bible, Creation, and the Fall of Mankind. At this point the picture looks pretty dark. The all powerful, all knowing, everywhere present, infinite, eternal God has created the heavens and the earth and has set mankind into the Garden to know Him and to love Him and to serve Him and to represent Him on earth, but mankind has rebelled against their all good creator following Lucifer in their pride. God will bring about the sentence of death for man--but there is hope--the seed of the Woman... Stay tuned!

Come and join us at 6pm on Sunday nights in Suamico! Email me if you wish to be a part of this. caleb@bethelgb.org

Exciting New Bible Study In Howard-Suamico!

You’re Invited!

If you live in the Howard-Suamico area of Wisconsin, please consider joining us for a Dessert Fellowship in Howard on Sunday, September 13th at
6:00 O’clock in the evening.

The purpose of this gathering is to tell you about a Bible study that will be held weekly in the coming months. Bible teacher Caleb Azure is looking forward to meeting you and will explain the details concerning the study as well as
answer questions that you may have.

The future Bible study will be based on the book The Stranger On The Road To Emmaus by John R. Cross. The book is about the “big picture” message of the Bible.

We are tenatively planning to hold Bible studies every Sunday at 6:00pm in the Howard-Suamico area beggining on September 20th.

For more information contact Caleb: caleb@bethelgb.org

Velvet Elvis Chapter 6 "New": Nauseating Evil Words

I'm sorry, but I have to call it how it is. As a preacher of the pure word of God and as a defender of sound doctrine, I was truly nauseated as I read chapter 6. Bell starts out with recalling how frustrated he was as he spoke to someone who was trying to deal with their sin. After that he presented what seemed to be on the surface a presentation of the Christian's Holy position in Christ. The doctrines of substitutionary atonement, imputed righteousness, and positional sanctification in Christ are surely worth rejoicing about. However, Bell subverts these doctrines and makes them something far less than biblical.

First off, essentially what Bell advocates is that because we have died with Christ and the old man has been destroyed we should be overly concerned with getting rid of sin. Instead we should try to live in the light of who were are in Christ. The only trouble with this is that it goes against about 50% of the NT teaching. Christ did teach in the Sermon on the mountain that human righteousness is useless. However, he one must see himself as poor in spirit or devoid of spiritual good, one must mourn over their sin, one must have a meek attitude about themselves, one must hunger for righteousness, these are the ones who enter heaven, find comfort, inherit the earth, ans find satisfaction. The writers of scripture certainly want us to consider our position in Christ: If we have repented (turned from rebellion against God) and trusted Christ (put our whole faith and trust in His person and work for our salvation)then we are righteous in Christ and acceptable before God. But it is this very teaching that causes the writers of the New Testament to encourage believers again and against to walk worthy of this, to be Holy, to put off sin and put on righteousness. God wants us to root out sin in our lives. He wants us to do it in the power of His word and His Spirit and not in a fleshly legalistic way. 1 John 1:9 tells us that believers as a habit of life confess their sin and find forgiveness.

Second, and even more dangerously Bell advocates universalism: the view that all are saved because of the death of Christ on the cross because of sinners. This is "another gospel". This is very serious indeed (Gal. 1:6-8). Bell misinterprets Christ's statement "If I am lifted up I will draw all men to myself." He says that this means that "All People. Everywhere. Everybodies' sins on the cross with Jesus." He says that, "...this reality of forgiveness, this reconciliation, is true for everybody." He goes on to say that all people need to do is realize that Christ has already forgiven them and just let God write their story instead of writing it themselves. This sounds good on the surface, but what is left out here is a clear understanding of God's holiness, man's sinfulness, the response of repentance and faith, and genuine followhship of Christ: constantly putting of sin and putting on righteousness through the grace of Christ. Paul said in Acts 16:31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved." Peter called the people to repent at Pentecost. John says in 1 John 5:1 that those who are born of God confess that Jesus is the Christ! Christ's sacrifice is only applied to those who turn from their sin and begin actively trusting in Christ and His finished work for their salvation. Anything less is a false gospel.
Third Bell replaces that Biblical idea of a real heaven and Hell with an idea of only heaven and hell on earth. No time to even go here--but this is obviously wrong. Here are some texts to look at (Matt. 5:22-30; Mt. 10:28;2 Pet. 2:1-17; Rev. 21:8)
In the end Bell reverts to the old liberal social gospel. There is nothing new here. He equates the true gospel with social reform. We do certainly want to care for the poor and needy, but the best way to do that is to give them the true gospel not a false one. Then we also want to provide physical care as well. We cannot replace true Christianity and the true gospel with a false gospel of simple social action.

Jude 17-25 But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, “In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.” These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life. And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.NASB95