Gregory T. Jacobs
 
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Revelation 3:1-6
"I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. 3 Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. 4Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. 5 The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life.  I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. 6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

It is no secret by now that I love catchy titles for my Blogs.  I found one no better fitting than this, as it is pretty cut and dry.  Oh, and by the way, I wanted to apologize for my scarcity in writing consistent blogs, but I have already done that in the past.  I shall refrain from apologizing this time under the guise of summer time being upon us...

I know that many of us in the past have probably dismissed the book of Revelation as being something too complex for our minimal finite minds to possibly comprehend.  Contrary to what you might think, it is not all just apocalyptic in nature.  Granted the majority of it does deal with Christ's second coming and His millenial reign upon this earth.  I find the first 3 books that the Apostle John wrote quite challenging.  They are written to the seven churches in Asia.  For the sake of this Blog, I would like to address only one of those churches: The Church in Sardis.

The church at Sardis was prounounced as being DEAD.  It appeared to be alive, had a reputation of being alive, looked spiritually vibrant on the outside, but was spiritually lifeless.  The church was Christian in name only.  I am reminded of the Matthew 23:27 passage that says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness." 

Now before you go accusing me of being all doom and gloom and negative, this is not my intent.  We have Grace through Jesus Christ.  We can never shy away from the fact that there is absolutely nothing we can do to deserve the free gift of salvation and righteousness in Him.  However, these letters were written to the churches for a reason.  They were to light a candle of fire under their behinds in order to WAKE THEM UP.  CAN I HEAR A WAR CRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you read the Revelation passage above, it wasn't too late.  Eventually it will be when He comes back as a thief in the night, but until then...  It is time for self evaluation my friends.  The time is short and the way is narrow that leads to Him.  Those that are found worthy will walk with Him in White Garments.  Those that conquer.  Conquer What?  SIN and the ways of this world.  I find myself fighting more and more every day against satan who lurks about seeking whom he may devour.  If you aren't fighting against satan, you might just already be dead.

I have several close friends that are funeral directors.  They have a job that I couldn't even fathom partaking in.  They get the calls in the middle of the night to come pick up peoples loved ones that have passed on.  Some from natural causes, some from illness, others from suicide, and many from accidents.  It is their responsibility if the relatives want to have an open-casket, to embalm and adorn the body in the best way possible.  No matter how you shake it, the body that is lying there is still a corpse with no life left in the bones.  Oh, we have to give credit for the job the funeral directors perform, but they can't breathe life into those bones.  Though there are some that  might have accepted Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, on this earth they have ceased to exist.  This is much like the church of Sardis.  To God, it was as if the church in Sardis was a beautifully adorned corpse.

My friends, have you soiled your garments?  Are you living your life in filthy rags?  Further yet, are you lying in repose in public for all to see?  You might be beatifully adorned, but are you still a corpse?  The one and only person that can breathe life into your dead bones is Jesus Christ.  As always, if you want to know more about having a personal relationship with Him, I would be glad to share.

CAN  I  HEAR  A  WAR  CRY,  WAKE  UP.......................
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Wow...I can't believe that it has been over 20 days since I have written a Blog.  I have to admit that I have been pretty busy.  Life happens.  It seems like the summer time comes upon me like a roaring wind.  One minute you are meandering along in Spring Time, the next minute the fury of Summer activites hit you.

I had the privilege of going to church camp this week with my family.  If you were to ask me last week if it was a privilege, I would have told you that I was as nervous as all get out.  I have three wonderful children that I love very much.  However, I can tend to be a little stiff and rigid sometimes when it comes to children's ministry activities.  I have never been the kind of guy to sing the crazy songs with the hand motions, or to jump up and down.  I can't say that I did much of that this week, but I thoroughly enjoyed church camp.  There was definitely a part of me that broke out of my shell.

This was a summer camp like none I have ever seen.  It wasn't on some property that was rustic with very little amenities.  No, it is called Centri Kid camps, and they are held all over the US.  The one that we went to was held at Georgetown College.  Just because it does not have a big lake with a bouncing platform, didn't mean the kids didn't have fun.  It was action packed the whole day.  There was Baseball, Flag Football, Drama, Dancing, Sign Language, Weird Science, Art, Wet & Wild, Splish Splash, Volleyball, Soccer, Praise Team, etc...  The list goes on and on with all of the activities.  Best of all, there was great worship and teaching  time.  Lifeway and the Baptists have put a lot of thought into making a great camp experience.

Best of all, I got to spend a week with my whole family.  The kids loved it and Amy and I loved it.  This is not to say that I am not looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight.  I also am very much looking forward to not having to wear my Crocs into the shower tonight.  As for the ministry aspect, I pray that hearts were transformed and lives changed this week for Christ.  I know that the seeds were planted, may His Holy Spirit draw and convict these young boys and girls...
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First of all I would like to take this opportunity to thank those of you that have been reading my Blogs on a regular basis.  I have noticed that my page views have been reduced down over time, and that is okay.  I am not out for a cutesy blog entry that might inspire somebody to a level of euphoria for that particular day.  I would rather have an in your face blog entry that is challenging and speaking the truth in love that might minister to somebody's heart.  We are commanded by Jesus to Love the Lord your God with all of our Heart, Soul, and Mind.  In order to do this, we must introspectively evaluate our lives on a daily basis, and this is not always fun.

The picture that I have attached to this blog entry is of a latrine in Auschwitz.  For those of you that don't know what a latrine is, it is a very crude version of a toilet.  Hopefully everybody knows that Auschwitz was a concentration camp where Jews were murdered.  I wish to tell you a story of a Baptist pastor in Bulgaria named Harlan Popov.  He was a pastor that was imprisoned in Bulgaria for preaching the Word of God.  Years after his imprisonment, he wrote a book entitled: "Tortured For His Faith."  I doubt it was a New York Times bestseller, but it sure rocked my world as a boy when I had the opportunity to read it. 

Harlan Popov was imprisoned and tortured for reading His Bible, and preaching the Word.  One day he was arrested, beaten, and thrown into prison.  The prisoners were under such watchful eye of the prison guards that if they were caught praying or reading any page of the Bible that might have been smuggled into that horrific place, they would be beaten within an inch of their lives.  Mr. Popov writes that there was only one place where the guards didn't enter, and wouldn't dare keep a watchful eye.  You guessed it, that was the latrine.  The latrines in prison back then basically consisted of a long board with holes cut into it.  About 7 feet down was a pit that caught all of the dung and refuse.  To say that it stank was an understatement.

Because Mr. Popov was tortured so often for his faith, he had no solace and solitude time with God.  He was always under the ever-watchful guards eye.  One day he went to them and begged the head of the guards for the task of cleaning the latrines all day long.  The head guard thought he was insane, but knew that nobody else would actually volunteer for such a disgusting and menial task.  He was granted the "Opportunity" to clean the latrines every day, all day long.

What the guards didn't know was that Harlan Popov would jump down in that pit full of dung and pee, and he would sing songs to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all day long.  He would talk to his Maker on a minute by minute basis.  He had long ago hid God's Word in his heart, so he would recite scripture from the Bible all day long.  When it was time to go to bed at night, he would go back to his cell in anticipation of what the next day held, spending the whole day with Jesus.  Needless to say, the guards left him alone.

When was the last time that you looked forward to spending time with God, if it was under less than satisfactory circumstances?  Do you worship God only if it is on your terms, and in the place that you designate?  I have made it no secret to friends that I have grown more in Christ over the last year in my bathroom.  Now before you laugh, think about what I wrote above.  God can be found anytime and anyplace.  It only requires that we shut-off all of the STUFF in life that is like clanging cymbals in our ears.  Rejoice in quiet times with Him, even if it is not what and where this world tells you they should be.

Are you willing to clean the latrine, in order to get closer to Jesus Christ???
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Joshua 3:8 (ESV)

"And as for you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, 'When you come to the brink of the waters of the Jordan, you shall stand still in the Jordan.""

A couple of weeks ago I took my two sons fishing at a farm pond.  I should say that my wife and daughter also came along, but drove separately.  They wearied out quickly after not catching any fish.  For the first time since having kids, I wasn't fetching bird-nests out of their fishing-reel, or hooks from my cheeks.  David is now 11 and Nathan is almost 10.  They both have gotten a hang of fishing and really enjoy it, when they catch something.  That particular day was sunny and hot.  The grass was high, but the fish were biting.  I quickly reeled in a bass, and it drew the attention of my two boys from the other side of the pond.  They must have felt like it was the only place in the whole lake where the fish were biting.  They quickly crowded in next to me to cast their lines in that scummy water.

I remember looking over to my right and hearing an "Ole Man..." I looked and David was pulling himself out of the water.  The grass was tall by the ponds edge and he had taken a step a little too close to the edge of the water.  He fussed and complained for a few minutes about his shoes being wet, but calmed down after I told him that he was scaring the fish. 

It got me thinking about how God's ways are not our ways.  He calls us to Live, but in order to accomplish this we must first Die to self.  He calls us to abandon the things of this world and follow after  Him.  He has called us to get our feet wet and come follow Him.  There are passages all through the Bible that mention taking a step out into the water.  I found this Joshua passage very inspiring.  Of course there is the mention in the Gospels about James and John leaping out of the boat in order to follow Jesus.  They left their father Zebedee behind.  There is also the passage of Peter stepping out of the boat into the water in order to walk to Christ.  I find it very interesting that God does not call us to "Safety" either on the shore or in the boat.  He calls us to take that step out and into the water.

This might mean something different for each person, but the premise is the same.  God is calling us out...  No longer are we to live lives of comfort merely looking at the swift current, but we are to jump in with both feet in reckless abandonment to Him.  For somebody this might mean a career change.  For another it might mean a relationship you are in.  Still for another it might mean leaving a church that you have gone to your whole life.  I am certain of one thing: If you are following after Jesus through prayer and Bible Study, you will learn to listen to His voice.  In doing so, the confusion will be wiped away, and His path made clear. 

Remember, you are going to scare the fish a whole lot more making a ruckus from the shore, then you will if you jump in and swim with them...
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Matthew 7: 13-14 (ESV)

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few."

I know that I have used this passage in previous Blog postings, but I just can't seem to shake this verse.  I was having breakfast with a best friend this morning and we started discussing this topic.  The question that arose is "Why is the straight and narrow so wide?"  At first glance this seems contradictory to the above passage, but when you ponder it for a while, it becomes so painfully obvious. 

The way is wide because very few find it.  It is not that the path or the gate is wide, it is that very few are walking on it.  Growing up we lived on a school bus route out in the country that was hairy and treacherous to say the least.  Our school bus driver was the best of the best, but no matter how good she was, she was still driving on one-lane roads.  As long as nobody else was trying to pass her we were fine.  We didn't feel the restrictiveness of the narrow road.  However, as soon as she turned a corner and was head-on with a pick-up truck, somebody was going down on the shoulder.

When was the last time that you got elbowed in the eye while walking the straight and narrow?  Was it from all of the people fighting to get ahead or pass you.  I would venture to say that has never happened.  Yes, sometimes it feels like it is lonely on that path, but we should only feel that way if we are looking to man to satisfy our insecurities.  We are not supposed to get our affirmation and encouragement from those that are treading on the wide path towards destruction.  God is on the narrow way.  If it says that few will find it, then we should not be surprised when we are down and out and looking to man to lift our spirits, that we don't find His solace and comfort.

I have stopped hoping that I don't offend people with my comments, but rather want to challenge and encourage them in love.  If they are in love with this world, then it is my job through the Holy Spirits direction to remind them of which path leads where.  Several people have told me that I write "Deep" blogs.  For that I thank you, as I have no intention of being surface level.  However, the question that I throw out is are they Deep, or are you Shallow?  I feel that if you are reading your Bible, Praying, and Seeking Jesus face all through the day, you are probably in the 1/2 percentile.  Does that mean that the other 99.5% of people are going to hell?  I am just saying that few will find it...

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II Timothy 3:5 (ESV)
"Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.  Avoid such people." 

We have all known people that have put a facade on so as to appear one way, when in actuality they were completely somebody else.  I have found that since I have plugged into the power of the Holy Spirit in my life, I have a genuineness about me that transcends the surface level.  For so many years I walked around saying I was one thing, but in many cases living a life of somebody else.  That does not mean that I was a wedding photographer on the weekends, and an axe murderer during the week.  No, I just simply had skeletons in my closet, and vices that I was ashamed for anybody to know about.

Have you ever attempted to do any electrical work around the house and gotten shocked?  Might I remind you that I am a Financial Advisor by trade, and not an Electrician.  Recently, I needed a new outlet for my deep freeze installed in the basement, and I had foresight enough to call a licensed electrician.

Over a year ago my mom moved into a rental house around the corner from me, while her house was being built.  I was tired that day and was trying to hook up her Dryer so that she would be able to wash her clothes.  I had already been to Lowes twice and realized that the end of her cord did not match the 220 outlet in the wall.  Just for a piece of education, let me take this opportunity to shed some light on what I know about electricity.  110 is what most wall outlets run off of.  220 is what most dryers require.  It doesn't take a genius to realize that it is twice as powerful as a wall outlet.   However, I digress...  For some stupid reason I had the plug in my hand with some loose wires as I had it all taken apart.  I stuck it in the outlet to make sure the size was correct this time, and BAM...  I thought the rapture had taken place.  I was thrown back against the wall, not by any electrical current, but the mere fear and shock at the bright light and loud popping noise.  My son who was watching me, screamed in terror, and my mom ran from the other room assured that her 2nd born son had to have been a crispy critter by that point on the floor. 

I am thankful to say that nothing happened to me, other than knock some sense into me never to attempt electricity again.  However, I am absolutely intrigued by this II Timothy passage listed above.  There are so many people out there that have a sense of godliness, but deny His power.  I have often said that I want to write a book about opposites.  God's ways are not our ways.  For example conventional earthly wisdom would tell me never to touch electricity again, however God instructs me to "Plug In."  He wants us to live dangerously through Him, and not cautious in our walk with the Lord.  Jesus is not something you sample, rather He wants us to accept His Electrifying Power. 

I could keep writing about how so many people act like Christians, but deep down they are playing it safe.  I think you are getting the gyst.  Point being not to live on the sidelines with a safe view of Christ, but get right in there and get charged and electrified through His Holy Spirit in your life.  PLUG  IN !!!!
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Matthew 7:21-23 (ESV)

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'  And then will I declare to them,  I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."

I had this question posed to me this morning, and to be honest with you I thought that the answer could go either way.  When I started reading the Matthew 7 passage, I started realizing that many claim to know the Lord, but it doesn't necessarily mean that He knows them.  Beyond just claiming to know Him, it goes on to say that they will prophesy in His name, cast out demons, and do mighty works in His name.  I don't know about you, but that is not some lukewarm, bench-warmer Christian.  Sounds to me that it is somebody that is clearly "Working" the Gospel of God.

The only downfall with that is you can only enter into the Kingdom of God through Grace, and that not of yourself through Works.  It is a free gift that God the Father gives to us through His Son Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins.  It is not what we accomplish in life in Christ's name, but rather the relationship that we have with Him, and the obedience and surrender that we exercise to our Lord on a minute by minute basis.

I have to admit this passage above has always intimidated me.  I have had to question myself from time to time through the years as to whether or not Jesus KNOWS me.  I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that He does.  I am assured of this because I walk with God.  I speak to Him and in turn He speaks to me.  I am obedient to Him, and when I fall short, He is right there to pick me up.

I am reminded of the Acts 18:24-28 passage about Apollos.  He was fervent in preaching the gospel message and the baptism of John.  This was the message of repentance.  However, Aquilla and Priscilla took him in and mentored him into the "Full Gospel" of Jesus Christ and the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.  Up to that point he meant well, but he did not have the complete message.

Many proclaim to know the Lord, but does He know you?  It is my prayer that each of you succumb to the ever powerful annointing of the Holy Spirit's FIRE in your life.
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Now before you go accusing me of not being Politically Correct, I would have to agree with you.  I am the furthest thing from PC.  Polite and tactful, yes...  PC, no...  It is my personal opinion that we have become so intraverted as a society that if we see something awry in a persons life, we just tend to say that it is none of our business and retreat back inside of our clam shell.   I am of the firm conviction that if you love somebody you speak the truth to that person in love.



Naivety:   "Deficient in worldly wisdom or informed judgment"--(Webster Dictionary definition)

Stupidity:   "Lacking intelligence or reason"--(Webster Dictionary definition)

I intend to address one topic and one topic only in this Blog: "Are you Naive or Stupid in the ways of the Lord?"  Granted there are so many avenues that you can go down with this topic, but I intend to address this state of being as related to your position and relationship with Christ. 

Let's take the first word, Naivety.  I had always thought that a person is naive if they are a little flighty in their persona and just don't know better.  However, according to Websters definition it deals with a lack of wordly wisdom.  When I looked that up it really got me thinking.  I have often wondered if the lack of spiritual maturity in oneself was directly correlated to the teaching they sit under or the overall maturity of a church.  I have since come to an epiphany of realization that the only one to blame for ones spiritual state, is that person individually.

James 1:5 (ESV) says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."

All we have to do is ask if we are lacking wisdom.  Now for the clarification of the above definition from Webster.  I want nothing to do with "Wordly Wisdom."  That kind can only come from experiencing and sampling the fleshly desires on this earth.  When we come to a basic understaning of Him, we can comprehend and know that what appears sweet on this earth in the form of instant gratification, is mere stench and rancid in God's nostrils. 

This brings me to my second definition, Stupidity.  If I am lacking Heavenly intelligence and reason, James 1:5 says that all I have to do is ask.  Therefore, if you have not asked Him through absolute surrender, then you are absolutely expecting to receive worldly wisdom, rather that heavenly.  This act can only be classifed as one of Stupidity.  When we know the truth, we are told that the truth will set you free. 

The question that I pose to you is are you willing to be Naive to worldy attractions that seek to lure you in?  It is very plain to me that I am seeking to be Naive to this worlds ways.  That does not mean that I do not have eyes that are wide open and aware to my surroundings and what is occuring around me.  If that were the case, I would not be wary of satan's advances and therefore be ready to fight. 

May we strive not to be Stupid in Christ through a lack of education in Him.  If all we have to do is ask and it will be given freely, then I suggest that we all ask.  God is ready and willing to impart His Wisdom through the Bible to each and every one of us.  May I be stupid and lack intelligence of the things that satan is selling through counterfeit goods on this earth.  It is my prayer that each of us strive to be more naive in wordly wisdom, and become alive to Christ...
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Isaiah 40:31
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Today I had the opportunity to go to Churchill Downs to our banks corporate "Finish Line Suite."  Several of the bank officers invited customers and prospects to wine and dine them for the afternoon.  Although betting on the horses is not my cup of tea, I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to go and be pampered in the lap of luxury. 

For those of you that have never been to Churchill Downs, there was a famous race run there almost two weeks ago.  You might have heard of it: The Kentucky Derby (that is for all of my out of town friends).  

While driving with my two customers to The Downs, I happened to look up and saw a large Falcon perched over the interstate.  I know that a Falcon is not an Eagle, but it sure looked the same size.  I remember thinking to myself what it must be like to be free to fly.  When we arrived at the racetrack, the steward pushed the button for us to go up to the 5th floor.  Keep in mind that there are only 6 floors, which I might add is really high up.

When we got up there and looked out over the track and the Louisville skyline, the view was breathtaking.   The horses looked like toys, the people like ants, and the birds were BIG.   While standing on that balcony, it all of a sudden hit me how high up I was.  More than anything, I was surprised at how insignificant things seemed on the ground.

It is easy to get discouraged while down in the valley, but when you are soaring up high problems just seem insignificant.  I didn't realize until the end of the day how much I enjoyed being up high (and the lack of crowds and foot traffic).  It wasn't until we descended from the 5th floor to the 1st did I realize how much I cherished the day.

The moral of this blog is not that we should spend our days on the 5th floor Finish Line Suites at Churchill Downs.  Rather, to spread our wings and fly as often as we can, and not get so bogged down with the flow of traffic in the valley...
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II Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

One of the most important questions that you can  be asked is the following:  "What are you currently studying in the Bible, and what is the Lord speaking to you through this?"

Unfortunately, we are a society that is so caught up in this fast paced microwave generation, that we have forgotten how to study.   No, I am not talking about cramming before a test, or attempting to rapidly know a new product or service offered through your employer.  I am talking about the slow methodical ability to pick-up the Bible and STUDY it.  Notice I didn't say Read it. 

Have you ever sat down and read a Readers Digest or maybe your favorite novel, and walked away thinking, HUH?   I can't tell you how many times I have sat down to read a book and at the end of the page, I have to start all over because I didn't remember a thing I had just read.  This can happen to us when we read the Bible as well.  It is not because the Bible is not interesting, or because it is too complex to understand.  Rather, it is because our minds are so cluttered with busyness that we have forgotten how to focus.  In this fast paced lifestyle it is absolutely imperative that we focus on Christ, and not give him second best.  In order to accomplish this, we must STUDY His Word, rather than just Read it. 

There is no set time of the day that is dictated that you have to read the Bible and Pray.  There is nowhere that says you have to do it everyday, or for 30+ minutes per day.  I have found that personally at the end of the day, my mind is all cluttered up, and I don't do my best focusing.  I like to take time throughout the day to study His Word.  It might only be 5 minutes here and there, but He is continually on my Heart.

If you are a frequent computer user, try using www.biblegateway.com  It is a great online Bible resource where you will find several versions of the Bible.   Instead of putting a Readers Digest in your restroom at home, try placing a Bible there.  Keep one in your glove box in the car, so that if you have some time to drive to a park for lunch, you can have some one-on-one time with the Lord.

I used to think that I studied the Bible, but over the last couple of years I have realized that in the past I just read it.  Since I have taken the time to really dig in, the Word of God has become so REAL to me.  It is an action packed, war story, romance novel, geographical history study, foreign journey, shipwrecked, earth swallowing, viper biting, fire consuming, grace-riddled, mercy bestowing, salvation for all man kind, compilation of work.  For somebody that says that it is boring, I just respond that they haven't been reading my Bible.  The one that I read keeps me on the edge of my seat daily, and is the foundation of what makes this ball that we live on spin. 

Remember, the question posed at the beginning of this blog is not really the important part.  THE  ANSWER  IS  WAY  MORE  IMPORTANT  IN  ORDER  TO  MANIFEST  YOUR  CLOSE  RELATIONSHIP  WITH  JESUS  CHRIST!

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