How do You Judge?

by Sisterlisa

Over the years I have noticed how girls have prejudices for all sorts of reasons. When I was growing up there was prejudices among different cliques of kids in school. I grew up in the public school system in Los Angeles County in California. I saw different gangs who refuse to speak to each other, sit in the same class, or walk down the same streets. Among adults I see prejudices, but in a different form. I see adults who refuse to talk to each other based on how much money they make or which neighborhood they can afford to live in. I even see how homeschool girls and other school kids are divided as well. Did you know there was a division among the people in Christ's time too? When Jesus was sitting at the well near Samaria, a woman came to fetch water. When Jesus spoke to her, she was surprised that a Jew would speak to her, a woman of Samaria. When Jesus came to be our Messiah, he changed the social status of the communities.

Galatians 3:8, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."

It is certainly sad to see so much division among people today, especially among Believers. I have seen more judgmental people among Believers than I have from any other groups, cliques, gangs, or the poor. Christians know they are not to be judgmental, yet it seems to be more prevalent among them. Why is that?

I believe part of the reason is because they live according to the Law. They become a judge of what is right or wrong in the life of another believer. Yes, we are to be accountable to one another. The Bible says to "confess your faults one to another." But it doesn't tell you to make a list of all your friend's sins and go to their door proclaiming how sinful they are. There is a fine line between being judgmental Pharisees and preaching to the people the message of repentance.

Ladies, it is not our position to be busy bodies, meddling in the affairs of one another.

1 Timothy 5:13, "And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not."

As a young lady, your position is to be obedient to your parents. If you have a friend who is close to you and she sees you talk back to your mother, I believe a true friend would admonish you to obey. You may not like it when a friend corrects you on the spot, but that is what a true friend would do. On the other hand I do not feel it is beneficial for a friend to come over and begin telling you about all your sins and how to make them right. Do you see what I mean about there being a fine line?

I feel that too many times we distance ourselves from others far too much, we become so high minded that we are no earthly good. If Jesus Christ lived that way, the woman at the well never would have tasted the Bread of Life and the Living Water. We are in this world, but we don't have to be of this world. I'm not too proud of my nation anymore, that's a sad statement, but it's true. I am saddened by the amount of sin that is prevalent in our nation. However, if I were to separate myself from America where else would I live? Is there not sin in the rest of the world's countries? I live in America, but I do not need to be the same kind of American as everyone else.

I am a Believer in Jesus Christ, but I am not the same as every other Believer. Some Believers don't want to reach out to a drug addict and show them how to be free from their bondage and work alongside them to get their lives back together. Some Believers don't want to help a homeless person on the side of the road, they think they are dirty and deserve to live like that. Many times that Believer may not know the woman lost her husband in death and suffers from extreme depression. She may have lost her home and had no where else to go. A widow indeed. But how many Believers take the time to find that out? Will they help a widow if she is homeless. Would they help a widow even if they didn't live up to their expectations?

Did you know that homeschool girls do the same thing to girls who attend a formal school? Did you know that some Christian girls do the same thing to other girls who don't live up to what 'they' think those girls should live up to? Just what is the measuring rod for finding the right friends? Who are we to judge another girl?

Your parents have the right to help you in your associations with other young people. They have that right. Above all you must obey your parents. However, there will come a day when you will be given more freedom to choose your own friends. We can have friends that are close while still being friendly towards the others. Our purpose in life is not to abstain from every sinful person out there, if we do that we'll never reach anyone with the Light of Jesus Christ. All they'll ever see are Pharisees.

We need to be wise and use discernment in our friendships with others. Yet we can still reach out at the prompting of the Holy Ghost. Just as the Good Samaritan did. Interesting to notice two stories that God wanted us to know about, the Samaritan woman who was not to be spoken to by a Jew (but He did) and a Samaritan man who was the real neighbor who loved as Christ loved. Yet it was the religious people who passed by the injured man and refused to help him.

Only you will know which kind of Believer you are. Believe in the Law and become a Pharisee or walk in the grace that Christ extended to you and love others in return. Jesus said this about the Law and his Love,

Matthew 22:34-40 "34But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38This is the first and great commandment.

39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."

If we're quick to bring down the house on another because of their sin, then we need to get closer to Christ and sees others through His eyes. Will you be a 'Jew' living by the Law or a 'Samaritan' who lives by grace?

Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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Word Study

My husband taught me how to journey through a word study using some tools that we have today. By conducting word studies we have been able to come to clearer understanding of the scriptures. It's always an adventure when we gather with other believers and enjoy studying like this together.

Tools Needed:
-KJV Bible. I use this in word studies because I use the next tool, a Strong's Concordance.
-Strong's Concordance (I use the online one as well as the hardbound one I have at home)
-Hebrew Bible and translator (At Crosswalk.com it will give you these tools when you click on the linked word in the verses.)
-Greek Bible and translator
-Dictionary
-Notebook paper
-pen
-highlighters or colored pencils
-book markers
-small post it notes pad

We use the last four tools listed when we want to document everything we study. We choose to underline some verses or words in the verses with a particular color. We also use small post it note papers to hold our place right that the verse we are studying so we can easily flip back and forth and find the verse again with ease. (I will write another article soon, to show you how I use those.)

We do not rely fully on only the KJV and Strong's concordance. We have found that digging deeper into the Hebrew and Greek to be the most accurate way to finding the truth. In addition to all this, we must rely on the greatest tool, that is the person of the Holy Spirit. His guidance is ALWAYS necessary in understanding God's Word.

John 14:26, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."

1 John 2:27, "But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him."

Let's begin this word study with Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."

I went to the online Strong's Concordance and typed in 'Hebrews 4:16', here is what it gives me.

Next, I click on the linked word 'grace', and it gives me the Greek word and definitions. Grace in Hebrew is Charis, which means:
1. grace
1. that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2. good will, loving-kindness, favour
1. of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3. what is due to grace
1. the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
2. the token or proof of grace, benefit
1. a gift of grace
2. benefit, bounty
4. thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

The page also tells me how many other times the same word grace(Charis) appears in the New Testament.

Next, I wanted to know what the word 'grace' means in the Old Testament. So I looked up Genesis 6:8, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD."

In Hebrew the word is Chen meaning:

favour, grace, charm

1. favour, grace, elegance
2. favour, acceptance

At the top of that page you will see where it says 'word origin' with a number(o2603). When you click on that number, it gives you more understanding behind that word's meaning. Here is what it says:
Chanan:

1. to be gracious, show favour, pity
1. (Qal) to show favour, be gracious
2. (Niphal) to be pitied
3. (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious
4. (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on
5. (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration
6. (Hithpael) to seek favour, implore favour
2. to be loathsome

When I conduct a word study, I double check all of this information and read the verses that use the word, in this study it's grace. I would do this by reading all the verses that contain the word 'grace'. In this case, it appears MANY times in the Bible, so the study would be a lengthy one.

When I looked at the right side of that last page I see several books of the Bible where the word Chanan is found. I clicked on the linked word for Psalms, to see the verses that contain that word and it shows me several verses that contain the word mercy, supplication, favour, etc.

I hope you have enjoyed this word study with me. May the grace of God be with you all.


Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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The Freedom Factor Found in Sarah

My daughter Jess pointed out this passage of scriptures a while back and at the time, while I understood these verses, it wasn't until later that it really struck me. This is a beautiful explanation of how the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar is a picture of Christ and His Church. It's the message of grace which was given to us through Abraham so many years ago.

In this passage we see God unfolding this drama into a captivating lesson of God's grace.
Old Covenant = Bondwoman = Hagar = Mt. Sinai = Torah/Law = Bondage = Works of the Flesh
New Covenant = Free woman= Sarah = Jerusalem = Christ= Freedom = Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 4:21-31, "21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?

22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. (Genesis 16:1-2) The Bondwoman is Hagar and the free woman is Sarah.

23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. (Genesis 16:15 and Genesis 17:17:15-16) The son of the flesh is Ishmael and the son of the promise through Sarah is Isaac (Genesis 16:11 and 17:19)

24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. (Exodus 19:1, First Covenant at Sinai)

25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Genesis 16:6-9)

26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. (Genesis 16:1)

27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband. (Isaiah 54:1)

28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. (Genesis 17:19)

29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now. (Genesis 21:9)

30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. (Genesis 21:10)

31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free. (Isaiah 61:1)

God shows us that the Old Testament Law kept us in bondage. We were kept under The Law, but when the Law of Christ came, we were set free. The results of living under The Law, (fulfilling the Lust of the Flesh), produce the Works of the flesh and the result of living in Christ, (walking in the Spirit), is the Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:16-25, "¹⁶This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

¹⁷For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit(Gal 4:29), and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

¹⁸But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

¹⁹Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

²⁰Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

²¹Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

²⁴And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

When I lived under The Law, I felt condemned. I felt as though I could never measure up. Yet that is true. We can't measure up. We can't live up to God's standards, that's why He allowed us to have His Son, Christ our Lord. The Old Covenant gave animal sacrifices until the Messiah would come. He HAS come and He lives today. We were given the Law to show us our need for Christ. When Christ came and died on the cross, He bore our sins an fulfilled The Law. We now live under the Law of Christ.

John 1:17, "For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Romans 8:2, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."

Romans 10:4, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth."

Galatians 2:16, "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified."

Galatians 2:21, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain."

Galatians 3:13, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:"

Galatians 3:24, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith."

Philippians 3:9, "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:"

When we live under The Law it breeds boastfulness, arrogance, judgmental thoughts and words, and a lack of grace. Be cautious of trying to live up to Christ. There is not amount of righteousness we can do to please God. We must simply put our faith in Christ, "for without faith it is impossible to please him."(Hebrews 11:6)

We are not, however, to use grace so that sin will abound. We must still live a holy life, but we can not do so without Christ. For Christ is our holiness, our righteousness, our only way to the Father. No amount of obeying the Law will ever get us a relationship with the Father. It must only come through Christ, His Son.

John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

This is the freedom, the liberty, that Christ offers us today. The story of Sarah was the beautifully written handiwork of God our Father, to show us the freedom we can have in His Son. To trust in Christ is not a bondage. To live in bondage under The Law is not freedom. Christ offers freedom. Sarah is the Freedom Factor for us today, given by Christ.

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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Sola Gratia (Grace alone)

by Mrs. Liljequist

In our society, some people feel that they are entitled to this and that. They seem to think that they deserve happiness, success, comfortable living, fair treatment, etc. for whatever reasons. What do we all really deserve? The Bible says that we deserve death, punishment, and God’s wrath. However, because of God’s grace and mercy, we get what we do not deserve while we do not get what we deserve.

By His grace, God offers us the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins. God’s sinless, sovereign Son scorned by several, sacrificed self (solely suitable, satisfactory scapegoat) to save sinners’ souls securely from sin, suppressing sly satan’s success. That’s amazing grace, indeed!

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved. in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace; wherein He hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.” Ephesians 1:6-8
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

Are you in pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness? Jesus Christ is the only One who can give you an eternal life/an abundant life, true liberty (from sins and from spiritual death), and true joy (not fleeting happiness).

What Does "Grace" Mean to You?

“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:14-15

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 5:20-21

No words can adequately describe the depth and magnitude of God’s grace. Nothing can compare to God’s grace. Without God’s grace, there would be no salvation, forgiveness, redemption, righteousness, and reconciliation. The more we realize how wretched we are, the more we understand, appreciate, and embrace God's grace.

Excuse to Sin?...Not!

God’s grace is greater than all our sin, guilt, and shame. However, it is not an excuse for us to do whatever we please.

“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly that they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

By God’s grace, we are set free from being slaves to sin so that we may do “every good work” that God calls us to do.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2: 10)

Grow in Grace

“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18)

How do you grow in grace? By imitating Jesus Christ! He is the ultimate picture of “grace.” Is grace evident in your speech, attitude, and actions? Do you extend grace that the Lord bestowed upon you to others?

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and Godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)

“Growing in grace” means learning to say no to ungodliness and worldly passions while living self-controlled, upright, and Godly lives, being more like Christ each day.

His Grace is Sufficient

Not only are we saved by grace alone, but also we live/survive each day by His grace.

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9) “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

When we face trials in life, God’s grace always sustains us and strengthens us. His grace is sufficient for you and me in any situation. Rest in His grace and mercy!

John Newton who wrote the famous hymn, “Amazing Grace” said shortly before his death, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: That I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!” May we never stop being amazed by God’s grace!

God’s grace saved and redeemed us
Restored our relationship with our Heavenly Father
Amazing love demonstrated thus
Christ died for all sinners
Eternal life offered to all who believe in Jesus


Mrs. Liljequist is a wife and mother in a homeschooling family. She blogs at Living for God.

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Grace- Power to Overcome

by Sister Trish

*For mature readers.


‘Where does sin abound, there does so much more grace abound’

Recently, I received an email requesting prayer from a person who has known the Lord for some 20 years, but who has had so many troubles in her life because she was not willing to ‘cast every care upon the Lord’ and dig at the root of the many sins in her life.

Through experience, I have learned that the more we can cast upon the Lord, the more He is enable to entrust His mysteries with us.

The mystery of why He would come to this lonely planet.

The mystery of how many persons there are in the God-head and who they are.

The mystery of the power of His Name.

The mystery of the Lamb and the power to overcome sin. (Are but a few of the mysteries the Lord can share with the obedient servants of God.

Before I tackle the often misused word, ‘grace’ I will speak first about the Greek word, oikonomia oy-kon-om-ee'-ah ; administration (of a household or estate); and, especially, a (biblical term) "economy":--dispensation, stewardship.

The word, economics comes from this word. It relates to a store-house of goods and the stewardship of the goods, and how things are ‘dispensed’.

Imagine the days when you may have attended camp as a child. Maybe there was a ‘canteen’ where they had some sweets, souvenirs and necessities for sale.

Maybe you were given some ‘tuck money’ to buy a treat every now and then. But you were given only so much money and this money could only be spent in the only place where money was used. So the place where the money could be used is a type of ‘dispensary’, and a place where the goods are kept and ‘doled’ out according to the authority of the person behind the counter.

The person behind the counter uses the cash box and the key is kept with this person who has the authority.

Authority and dispensation, are therefore, key words to understanding the word, grace.

Now, back to the study of the word, grace.

What is it and how can it be applied?

Many use ‘grace’ to give them permission to sin. (Like one who emailed asking for prayer. She also fell into a sexual relationship that the Lord would never allow.) How can she ask for ‘grace’ when she is really asking for permission to lie, cheat and commit fornication?

Let’s go back to the Tuck shop: someone who has money goes to the tuck shop to buy a Popsicle is approached by someone without money, and asked, ‘When you are there, please ask for permission from the one who as authority to dispense a popsicle for both of us, even though I haven’t any money.”

Would this be possible? No, not normally: one must have the right amount of money to purchase. The one behind the counter usually cannot dispense anything at their own discretion unless they have the authority to do so.

‘Yet where sin abounds, there does so much more grace abound’, many quote to me. Yes, sin does abound, and the Lord does give grace abundantly, not to sin, but to lead sinners to the Cross: for forgiveness and victory over sin, never to return to it again.

Some short points about ‘grace’ and sin:

Grace is never given as an excuse or allowance to sin.

Romans 6 is the central aspect of grace.

Romans 6 is the single most important chapter of the entire Bible.

Romans 6 grants us access to the Throne, to make our petitions known, and to expect answers to prayer.

Without Romans 6, there is no Romans 8 35 – 38 verses, (also quoted as a reason to allow sin in a person’s life), which say, “Nothing can separate us from the Love of God.”

How do we then, go ‘boldly before the Throne of God’ to make our petitions known?

Romans 6 gives us the access, and the authority is from the One who now sits upon the Throne, who can bring our petitions before the Father.

Without Romans 6, however, we really have no legitimate right to ask anything. In fact, without Romans 6, we do not even have the ‘right’ to call Jesus’ Father, our Father!

Therefore, our Lord, who knows all this, still grants much ‘grace’ to overcome our naivety, and our clumsy ways which are not yet according to the Protocol of the Throne in God’s Kingdom.

Grace is dispensed on our behalf from Jesus, the One who is given all authority. He can, if He chooses not to dispense this grace, withhold it at any time. The result: judgment.

Did the woman caught in adultery in the story in the Gospels have the right to expect ‘to be forgiven’? No. She expected a quick death. But Jesus, in His mercy upon her, seeing her to be repentant and full of the fear of the Lord, did grant the grace to be forgiven.

Is this then, an example to expect ‘grace’ when one sins grievously towards the Lord? No, it is an example of the authority of Jesus, who used it to grant mercy upon the sinner, who was told, ‘Go and sin no more!’

Sin no more is an aspect of grace as well.

If we are totally repentant, then Romans 6 can work in our lives.

From the story in Matthew 18, we see much about grace. When the one who was forgiven a great debt was able to forgive a great debt in return, the Lord was pleased. But the one who was forgiven a great debt, but in turn did not forgive even a small debt, the Lord will cast into the Lake of Fire. Where is the grace in that?

There is no ‘onus’ on God, the Father to grant grace at all. Jesus grants the grace, He is the Authority behind the Dispensary. He dispenses grace, mercy, wisdom, power and authority by the power of the Blood of the Lamb.

To know more about this grace, and the power to overcome: read, the following chapters:

· Revelation 3:21
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 3:20-22 (in Context) Revelation 3 (Whole Chapter)

· Revelation 12:11
They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
Revelation 12:10-12 (in Context) Revelation 12 (Whole Chapter)

Also, please pray about the word, ‘grace’. It is something that we all need, in order to learn all need to learn how to overcome every aspect of sin, as well as the wiles of the evil one who has recently unleashed a greater number of his minions to make war against the saints. Please contact the writer of this web site for additional information and prayer.

Sent to you with love,

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Our Theme for GGM

2 Peter 3

"1This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance:

2That ye may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:

3Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, (See 1 Peter 1:15)

12Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.( See 1 Cor 1:8, Colossians 1:22)

14Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;

16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

17Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (see Ephesians 4:15)

Until the day of our Lord's mighty return our theme has always been growing in GRACE and will continue to be so. Stay tuned for our next issue of GGM.

Sisterlisa is the owner and Editor-in-Chief of Growing in Grace Magazine and owner of AGMinistries, a devotion blog for women. She is married and homeschools her four children while remaining active in serving the Lord in her community.

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