Tim Cruse

God is advancing His mission in this world. We are privileged to be a part of His eternal work. Join us at Southwide, October 12-14, as we center on the theme "I Will Build My Church." To register, visit this link. ⬇️ southwidebaptist.org

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙛, 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙝𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢; 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨, 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙡𝙫𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙛𝙖𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙬𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝 𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙅𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙨.”— 2 Timothy 3:14, 15 The Lord has given us a wonderful week filled with reminders of His steadfast faithfulness. It is always a blessing to hear from our readers and listeners. This week, we received an encouraging email from a pastor in Pennsylvania who shared this testimony: “𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙁𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙖𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙖 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙡𝙮 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙁𝘽𝙉𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙤. 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙛 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥𝙚𝙙, 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙫𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙚. 𝙒𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨. 𝙈𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨, 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙪𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙡𝙮 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨. 𝙒𝙚 𝙥𝙧𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪!” We also rejoice with Morgan as she graduates from our high school. A heartfelt thank you is extended to those who have invested in her future, as well as faithfully supported the ministry of The Shepherd’s Place Children’s Home. God has truly been faithful through the years. Morgan plans to attend The Crown College in Powell, TN, this fall. Please pray for God’s continued guidance and blessing on her life as she seeks to follow His will. Tonight, we look forward to celebrating with our senior class of 2026. This is an exciting milestone in the lives of these young people, and we praise the Lord for His hand upon each of them. As they step into this next season of life, it is our prayer that they will continue to walk with God, stand for truth, and allow the Lord to direct their steps. One parent recently said to me, “𝙀𝙣𝙧𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙙𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙢.” Thank you for your continued prayers and faithful support for our church and academy. Every act of encouragement, every prayer offered, and every investment made helps strengthen the work of reaching and teaching others for Christ. We are grateful for all that God is doing and look forward to what He has in store for the days ahead. 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙇𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙪𝙨; 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙛 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙜𝙡𝙖𝙙.”— Psalm 126:3 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Receive a copy of Pastor Cruse’s new bedtime children’s booklet, 𝘼𝙨 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙁𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨, with a gift of any size to 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁. 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙣’𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙚/𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙤. tithe.ly/give_new/www/#… ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: …htbaptistacademy.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=74… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: shininglightmonroe.com/media/.

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.” — Acts 21:19 Dr. Tom Sexton was used of God to start the Five Star Christian Ministry in 1992. Now that he is retired from pastoring, he and I have been praying for some time about the future direction of this fruitful ministry. On February 11 of this year, I became chairman of the board. Five Star is now a ministry of Shining Light Baptist Church. As the founder, Dr. Sexton will continue to serve as a representative of Five Star. With this ministry also comes Five Star Christian Publications featuring many training books, booklets and gospel tracts that we are putting into a Five Star Institute which will operate under the auspices of our developing Compass College. These resources will be available on our online Moodle platform to help train fellow laborers in local churches worldwide. Rejoice with us over this 2025 report from the 1,700 pastors and churches in Africa which are a part of our Five Star Fellowship of African Independent Baptists: 𝟏. 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: - Public Schools—88,307 - Prison ministry—12,722 - Crusades & Streets—9,219 - One on one Soul Winning—1,008 - Jesus Cinema Nights—19,602 - Stores—105 - Conferences/Camps & VBS (Youth, Women, Children, Men)—1,076 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥: 𝟏𝟑𝟏,𝟓𝟑𝟐 𝟐. 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝: 𝟑𝟔 𝟑. 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭: 𝟏𝟖 𝟒. 𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐦𝐬: 𝟐,𝟏𝟕𝟖 One of our co-laborers there reported this recently: “Came today from Kenya/Somalia border where God allowed us share the gospel not only on the Kenyan side, but the Somalia side too. 301 souls, including a Somali Muslim Chief (area leader) and an Imaam (a mosque leader), professed faith in Jesus Christ.” To God be the glory! Pray with us as we train more servants of Christ at home and abroad to shine the gospel light and make disciples. 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “…we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ:” — 2 Corinthians 10:14 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: …htbaptistacademy.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=74… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/t….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30 Happy Mother’s Day! Here is a poem I wrote in your honor, moms: 𝐀 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 A woman that feareth the LORD, She shall be praised. Of her love, service and sacrifice, We all stand amazed. A woman that feareth the LORD, She shall be held in high esteem. We could never make it without her, A fitting tribute, we deem. A woman that feareth the LORD, She shall be respected. Her name, her honor, her person, Must always be protected. A woman that feareth the LORD, She shall be thanked. She is a lady among women – Very highly ranked. A woman that feareth the LORD, She shall be treasured. Her depth of devotion and influence, Can never be measured. Thank you mothers for your heart for God and your family. May His hand of blessing be upon you and yours during this special time. You are loved and prayed for. 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.” – John 16:21 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: …htbaptistacademy.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=74… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/t….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12 Apple cofounder Ronald Wayne sold his 10% stake in the company for $800 in 1976. Because of certain variables at the time, he felt like the venture was too great a risk. That stake would be worth $400 billion today. All who know the Lord must apprehend or get a hold of what He got a hold of us to become and do. We are to become more like Jesus Christ as we, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). We must seize with great heart and zeal the new life we have in Christ as we now live in view of eternity. The first Bible text I preached from after surrendering to preach on February 22, 1981 was, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). We must learn to seek the Lord with our whole heart yielded to know and do His will above our own. The faith life is one of venture and reward. When uncertainty or difficulties arise, we must “hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Revelation 3:11). To receive the reward God has for us, we must keep our eyes on Him and follow Him fully. Sometimes the water only parts when we step into it, the giant only falls when go on the offense and run toward him, and only when we are “faint, yet pursuing” does the victory come (Judges 8:4). It is said that from his youth Sir Winston Churchill felt that he had a divine purpose to fulfill. He was called “A man on a mission.” What mission does God have for your life? Have you found it and laid hold of it? If so, hold fast and keep going. 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “There is a God in heaven” Daniel 2:28 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: …htbaptistacademy.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=74… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/t….

God truly blessed our Compass Conference—what an encouraging time together! The Lord worked through the music and preaching of God's Word, challenging us to keep the Gospel first and boldly proclaim Christ. Mark your calendar for next year's conference: April 25–27, 2027.

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 The LORD Jesus promised “...that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven.”  𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟏𝟖:𝟏𝟗 My good friend Tom Sexton exhorts us in this article, Praying For Our Meeting, to pray for our upcoming Compass Conference this Sunday April 26 through Tuesday the 28th. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟏𝟓:𝟐𝟐, “For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.” 𝐈 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟐:𝟏𝟖, “Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us.” The evil one will do all in his power to hinder God’s people. 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐈 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟑:𝟏, “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.” God’s Word has power to save and give victory. One verse can change a person’s life and be a turning point in his or her future. God’s Word will accomplish what He sent it for. 𝐈𝐬𝐚𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟓𝟓:𝟏𝟏,“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐫’𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟗:𝟑𝟕𝐛-𝟑𝟖, “…The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” Somewhere there are people waiting to hear the Gospel. The question that all believers should ask is “Who is waiting on me?” and “How long will I make them wait?” 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐋𝐮𝐤𝐞 𝟏𝟗:𝟏𝟎, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” May God’s people return to their place of service and win the lost. If the LORD meets with us, the world (lost people) will be reached. We are looking forward to a time of refreshing and challenge from the Lord. Our Academy choirs and other special guests will be singing. Our preachers have over 200 years of ministry experience combined. Please pray and plan to attend. Bring someone with you. 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐰 𝟔:𝟑𝟑 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: …htbaptistacademy.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=74… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/t….

The Continuing Christ youtube.com/shorts/9zso5RI… via @YouTube

Plan to attend!

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” — Isaiah 43:2 A preacher told the story of a grizzly attacking a hiker and mauling him badly. He said, “The hiker had heard of the wonder and beauty of the mountains of Montana and drove across the country from North Carolina to experience them for himself. Interviewed from his hospital bed, he said, ‘I’m never coming back to this place!’ He didn’t know that wonder and beauty can also be dangerous.” We who rightly get caught up with the glories and beauties of the Lord Jesus Christ often times fail to realize the times of proving, testing and temptation that will be a part of serving Him and doing His will. We must purpose in those times to resist disillusionment and unbelief. We then will be able to learn firsthand that He is faithful as He has promised and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. I remember a time when I was dealing with persistent, deep sadness from prolonged depletion and exhaustion within my soul (it was actually dealing with me). Unending pressure from within and without left me totally drained and dry. In the darkness and silence of my settled grief, all I could do was but whisper prayers at times to the Lord. One of those prayers I remember was: “God only you can recover, restore, redeem and resurrect this situation, and what you put in my heart.” Not only had He helped me before, but I believed that He could and would help me again. And, He did. With the Apostle Paul I then could say, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day…” — Acts 26:22 I want to encourage you to continue today — to “keep going” as Dr. Lee Roberson often exhorted me to. When you think you cannot continue, remember why you started. Remember Who you started for and with as you were captured and compelled by Calvary’s love. 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious” — 1 Peter 2:7 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: …ghtbaptistacademy.us21.list-manage.co.... ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/t….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” Habakkuk 2:3 In a world of injustice, our God is still on His throne. And, He is at work ~ in our lives, our families, our churches, our city, our world. William Cowper wrote in 1774 about the Sovereign workings and timing of God: “God moves in mysterious ways His wonders to perform He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm Deep in unfathomable mines Of never failing skill. He treasures up His bright designs And works His sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust Him for His grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err And scan His work in vain; God is His own interpreter, And He will make it plain.” The vision God has for His work in our lives seems to tarry at times. But, “He is an on-time God,” a stranger told my brother one day as he was grappling with knowing and doing God’s will. A mentor said to me years ago, “God will put something in your heart to do for Him, and then He will put it to death. And in His time He will resurrect it and bring it to pass” (cf. John ). There is always a proving time, a preparation time, and a providing time. God may be proving you today. At his lowest point of suffering, David cried in Psalm , “My strength is dried up like a potsherd; And my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; And thou hast brought me into the dust of death.” Spurgeon exhorts us again, “When grief presses you to the dust, worship there.” Always remember, “When your world is coming apart God’s plan is coming together.” Do not lose heart in the dark. Hold to the promise of God. His plan in His time will come to pass. And when it does, you of all people will know Who gets the glory. A Rope of Hope “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly LifeLine Devotional: …htbaptistacademy.us21.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=74…. ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/t….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:33 The songwriter echoed the words of those who were eyewitnesses of the resurrected Saviour, “I serve a risen Saviour, He’s in the world today, I know that He is living whatever men may say… He lives! He lives! Salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives; He lives within my heart.” 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 I was witnessing to a group of high school students in Northfield, Massachusetts several years ago when a student said, “One of my professors told me that he had studied the major religions of the world and that they all basically say the same thing.” I responded, “Jesus Christ declared, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.’ Now, take the words of this One who lived a perfect life, healed the sick, and raised the dead; and set them beside what your professor said. Consider the credentials of both men and decide who you will believe.” 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 The Lord Jesus Christ is, “the resurrection and the life,” (John 11:25) and “the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Jesus Christ conquered death, Hell, and the grave because He is “the Son of God with power…by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Though God-manifest-in-the-flesh was crucified and buried, on the third day He rose from the grave. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that will raise us from the dead: “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live…believest thou this?” (John 11:25–26) 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐂𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 Can you imagine the level of zeal and commitment unto death the disciples would have had for a hoax if they had stolen the body of Christ, as some would tell us? Had they stolen His body away, they of all people would have known they were representing a lie. Yet, because they had seen the resurrected Saviour firsthand, they gave themselves and all they had to proclaim this message of truth and hope. Because He lives, we can face whatever He allows to come our way. By grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are more than conquerors. Let’s go tell someone about our risen Saviour today! “…and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” - Philippians 2:8-11 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire.” Mark 10:35 Our Lord Jesus Christ is journeying from Galilee to Jerusalem here in Mark 10. He is headed to Calvary to pay the penalty for our sins. Yet, what is on the minds of James and John - “What about us?” “What can you do for us Jesus to give us personal advantage and access?” Note verse 37, “They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.” This is so contrary to what many think service to God is all about. Some people try to use God while God wants to use us. He is not there so much for us as we are here for Him. Jesus teaches us that the blessed life is one of service and sacrifice - “For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 If we are going to follow Jesus, remember that His path leads through death to self, to personal ambition, to “my way.” 1 Peter 2:21 states, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” In Christian service, death comes before life. It will cost us to serve Jesus. There is no painless way to follow Him Who was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities. Wounds and scars in Christian service ~ we will have them. But, remember that a scar is not only a sign of injury, but also of healing. Sometimes we must find the heart to continue: I am nothing, my strength is almost gone, my hair is thinning and my waistline is winning, but my God is still on His throne. We must go deeper into the heart of God through the Scriptures. He has not changed. He is still in control. He is at work in our lives as He weans us from this world of woe to get us ready for a world of wow one day soon. The Devil cannot take your opportunity, but he can convince you to willingly give it up. Like Esau, that birthright or opportunity you despise today you will desire tomorrow. Do not forsake in the night what God gave you in the light. Keep your heart yielded to God. In the midst of your personal Gethsemane Jesus still asks, “lovest thou me?” The songwriter of this chorus words our prayer for us today, “To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus, all I ask, to be like Him, all through life’s journey from earth to glory, all I ask to be like Him.” As we look at our cross, may God give us faith to look beyond it to the crown that awaits. Yes, in following Jesus, death comes before life. But, the resurrection life that follows death to self and personal ambition brings untold glory to God and blessing to so many others. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦