𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning…” Job 42:12 Do you still want what God has for you, your family, and your church? Do you still believe that all things work together for good to them that love God and those who are the called according to His purpose, and that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform until the day of Jesus Christ? Do you still believe as long as there is life there is hope, and that God knows the way you take? Do you still believe that God is God and His Word is true, and that He will do what He said He would do? Do you still believe that God CAN when we can’t, and that there is nothing is too hard for or impossible with Him? Do you still believe that God is not willing that any should perish and that all should come to repentance, and that the gospel must first be preached to all nations? Do you still believe God is calling preachers and revival is possible? F.B. Meyer said, “It is a great matter to excite hope in a man; to stir with fresh conceptions of the possibilities of his life.” Dr. Lee Roberson said, “Leadership is stirring others. And, I am always looking for ways to stir Lee Roberson.” Paul said, “Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee…” 2 Timothy 1:6 𝟑 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐆𝐨𝐝’𝐬 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐈 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭: 𝟏. 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;" 1 Timothy 1:12 “When you are not sure if you can finish, remember why you started.” I started because: • God saved me and changed my life • God called me and put the ministry in my heart, and put me in the ministry • Calvary captured me and the empty tomb compelled me • The Holy Spirit dealt with me and stirred me to go and tell • He put a fire in my bones and I just could not keep it to myself • I had to tell somebody about Jesus • I started because - “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 I went everywhere preaching the gospel. I had a fire burning inside of me that would not let me stand still and keep quiet. I remember my very first sermon was at cottage prayer meeting from Proverbs 3:5, 6. What a glorious time it was starting out for the Lord in walking with Him and preaching His Word! 𝟐. 𝐈 𝐚𝐥𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 “But as for me, my feet were almost gone; My steps had well nigh slipped.” Psalm 73:2 Spiritual warfare is real. I remember the enemy putting this question in my mind - “How’s that thing of not wanting to waste your life working out for you?” I started out wanting all that God had for me and my family, but I did not know how deeply it would be tested. I came so close to missing all God had for me. Through the years, many of us have faced so many things and have much water under the bridge. If we do not keep our heart right with God, we will become cynical and hard. My friend, Pastor Rick Finley, said, “Many men are still in the ministry, but the ministry is no longer in them.” With regard to the ministry after all these years, I am thankful that I still have: • A pastor’s heart that can be broken • A church family to shepherd • A pulpit to preach from • Many things yet to do for God still in my heart 𝟑. 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐭 “Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day…” Joshua 14:12 This is the day to go to the ends of the earth with the gospel, starting at our own Jerusalem. God is still building His church; we just get to get in on what He is doing in this world through the local church. We must: • Launch a Gospel First movement • Mentor more servants of the Lord • Rebirth the evangelistic Sunday School • Renew our emphasis on church planting and pioneering works for God • Train more people through new Christian schools and colleges Please do not die before you die. You did not come this far to come this far. It is always too soon to quit. When you do not know if you can keep going, look back and remember why you started. ———————————————————— “Tis grace hath brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home.” ———————————————————— Dr. Lee Roberson said to me years ago: “You are going to face many things as the pastor of this church. But, no matter what you face, keep going!” I still want what God has for me and my family, and our local church. I still want to go out of here with an abundant entrance into Heaven. Do you still want what God has for you and your family, and your local Church? May we say with Caleb, “I still want it.” 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come.” Revelation 2:25 Listen to the sixth message, “There’s A New Day Coming” in our series from the book of Isaiah - The Future is With The People of God. youtu.be/jk7lZRvDmCo?si=h6zv… 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem…... ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “…that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it” (Isaiah 41:20). The comfort theme of Isaiah 40:1 continues into chapter 41. We are cautioned by the help of those who were encouraged by the effect upon the nations of the rise of the Persian power led by Cyrus (the righteous man or servant of God in 41:2). They worked together to build their own gods in celebration - “They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage” (Isaiah 41:6). It is easy to be zealously affected and deceived by something that appears to be noteworthy. Be careful who you allow to influence your life. Be careful who you give your ear to. There are those who will appear to be your friend for the purpose of using you for their own ends or influencing you down a different path - the path of false teaching, improper associations, their idea of what you need in your life instead of what God says you need. There are whisperers who will endeavor to separate you from those that God has placed in your life to love you and lead you - “They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you (cut you off from those pointing you to Jesus) that ye might affect them (that they might point you to themselves)”(Galatians 4:17). Three servants of Jehovah are mentioned in Isaiah - David, Israel, and the Messiah. This servant Christ will restore the servant nation (42:1; 41:8, 9). The restored servant nation will get to thrash the mountains as a sign and symbol of God’s great working power on their behalf (41:15). In Isaiah 41:19, we read of God’s promise to turn dry, empty deserts into rich, green forests. He will plant various trees where nothing usually grows - “…that they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it” (Isaiah 41:20). God says to His people, “I’m going to bless you in so many ways there will be no denying that this is from my hand!” They will go from a worm (41:14) in the eyes of others to a wonder by His power. The day is coming friend when God will turn the scorn you are bearing now into undeniable blessing and a badge of honor. Keep going! 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). Listen to the fifth message, “From Worm to Wonder” in our series from the book of Isaiah - The Future is With The People of God. youtu.be/LrrWgEoEvkg?si=dLjE… 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 The Christian life is all about heart transformation. God has given His children a new life with a new nature and new desires. Our motivation in service is now from an inward desire to glorify God by giving Him our all and our best efforts day by day. We read in 2 Peter 1:4, “whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” We also have zeal according to knowledge (cf. Romans 10:2) and are “…zealously affected (strongly committed to a godly purpose) always in a good thing” (Galatians 4:18). As we delight ourselves in the Lord, He gives us the desires of our heart or aligns our desires with His will (Psalm 34:7). Philippians 2:13 states, “For it is God which worketh in you both to will (desire) and to do of his good pleasure.” God stirs us toward Himself and His will for our lives by His Word and the inward working of the Holy Spirit. 1 Timothy 3:1 speaks of desire in ministry, “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.” We have a desire to do God’s will and finish the race He has called us to run. We consider Christ and what he has done for us, and endured for us (Hebrews 12:3). When we get weary, a fresh look by faith at Calvary quickens us to continue. This also produces perseverance within us. We want to see His purpose for our lives realized fully. Earthly emotional or inspirational motivations come and go, and can quickly fade - “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:17). Because we have given ourselves to that which never dies, we are here on a mission to fulfill our eternal purpose, and want to finish well. Motivation in the Lord’s work is more of a heart work or desire within than the outward passing forms of motivation. May a fresh desire to continue running our race spring up in our souls this week as we look unto “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” John 4:34 Listen to the fourth message, “Look Expectantly, Rise Above and Walk On” in our series from the book of Isaiah - The Future is With The People of God. youtu.be/_yY0VdbQ1qQ?si=lX9j… 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “Charity…beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:... And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8, 13 Dr. Lee Roberson said, “People change. A good friend today may be your enemy tomorrow. A business partner today may become your enemy and opponent tomorrow. The young man I counsel with so carefully and seek to lead to worthwhile living may become my adversary tomorrow. But Christ is the unchanging One! Customs change. Nations change. Buildings change. But Christ is ever the same! Therefore, we must be guided by the person—Christ!” Truly, no one ever cared for me like Jesus. Consider this powerful story someone sent to me: “‘I’ll master it!’ said the ax; and his blows fell heavily on the iron. And every blow made his edge more blunt til he ceased to strike. ‘Leave it to me!’ said the saw; and with his relentless teeth he worked backward and forward on its surface till his teeth were worn down and broken, and he feel aside. ‘Ha, Ha!’ said the hammer. ‘I knew you wouldn’t succeed! I’ll show you the way!’ But, at the first fierce stroke off flew his head, and the iron remained as before. ‘Shall I try?’ asked the still, small flame. They all despised the flame, but he curled gently around the iron and embraced it, and never left it til it melted under his irresistible influence.” Only the unrelenting embrace of true love and friendship like that of our Lord Jesus Christ which refuses to give up on another can melt a heart hardened by relentless woundings and the deep scars of life’s betrayals. Take the following truths about friendship with you today: - True friendship pays, but it also costs. - Friendship takes work - for lack of proper effort and maintenance it can die like flowers. - Friendship is about giving and forgiving, and is distinguished by sacrifice. - Agape love is when we are willing to suffer so others won’t have to. - If you are willing to pay the price, true love will pay you back. We reap what we sow, later than we sow and more than we sow. Take heart and keep being a friend to your friends, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9). 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 Listen to the 2nd message, “What Do Your Prayers Say About Your View of God?” in our series from the book of Isaiah - The Future is With The People of God. youtu.be/joKZybQafvE?si=PNvT… 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee” (2 Chronicles 20:12). A young pastor was facing opposition in the church. A senior lady invited him over to her house for lunch. He stated that while he was there, “she walked over and showed me this picture of Daniel in the lion's den. And she said, ‘Now, son, I want you to tell me what you see.’ So, I said, 'Well, and I can still remember looking at that picture. I see this lion over here looking up and this one looking down and see the bones.’ And so, I thought of everything this little lady could possibly have thought about. She said, ‘Do you see anything else?’ | said, ‘No.’ She said, ‘If you'll notice,’ and the picture had all these lions, and Daniel had his hands behind him. He's looking at this ray of light. ‘What I want you to see is Daniel doesn't have his eyes on the lions, but on God.’ It was like God hugged me that day because from that moment on, all of my fears disappeared because she got my focus right. When you focus on the trouble and the heartache and the burden and the pain, it gets bigger and we feel less confident, less significant and overwhelmed. Because remember this, Daniel was looking at Omnipotence Who created the lions. He could shut the lion's mouth. He could have killed every one of them in a second. He just let them hang around while Daniel went to sleep that night, and when he woke up and looked up he was reminded that he was where he was because he had obeyed God, and God delivered him.” Take this with you today…“What I want you to see is Daniel doesn't have his eyes on the lions, but on God.” 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “…looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Listen to this 1st message, “God Will Defend and Deliver His People,” in our new series from the book of Isaiah - The Future is With The People of God. youtu.be/dB-mUkqmmVI?si=FZN0… 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “That the generation to come might know them, Even the children which should be born; Who should arise And declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:” Psalm 78:6, 7 𝐀𝐬 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧: 𝐓𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐆𝐨𝐝 - waiting time is not wasted time - it may be something God wants you to do, but now is not the right time - my daughter Victoria told me one day - “I’m not going to ask God for something that He is not ready to give me and I am not ready to receive” - “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11 𝐓𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐥 - be willing and humble enough to have someone point out your strengths, weaknesses, blind spots - there is safety and wisdom in such - see the value of someone who loves God and you speaking truth into your life - avoid those who do not have God’s glory and your best interest at heart - “Where no counsel is, the people fall: But in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14 𝐓𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 - honor the order God has established - take to heart the counsel of your parents, pastor, and teachers - see the value of their counsel and leadership in your life - honorable people honor others - “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17 𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐡 - understand God’s great commission work through the local church in this age - get involved - grow in grace and knowledge - find your place of service and fulfill it - tell others about Christ and help advance the gospel - “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐲, 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 - don’t quit or walk away and leave people hanging - recognize people’s good faith toward you and the opportunities they trust you with - don’t underestimate that or take it for granted - Like Esau, the opportunity you despise today you will desire tomorrow - “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.” Hebrews 10:35 𝐓𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭, 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭 - “the easier you are to offend, the easier you are to control” - walking in the Spirit means being dead to self and governed/controlled by God’s Word - when you let people push your buttons, you give them control over you - your own family will ultimately pay the highest price because of how you made them vulnerable - not all silence is yellow and not all volume is golden - learn to discern when silence is strength and when volume is weakness - “He that hath no rule over his own spirit Is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 𝐓𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥 - cultivate a daily walk with God in prayer and Bible reading, and the attitude of gratitude - think more highly of others than yourself - “a defeat that makes you humble is better than a victory that makes you proud” - be there for others in season out of season, when it’s coming together and when it’s coming apart - be willing to suffer so others won’t have to - that’s true love - that’s Calvary love - “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 God bless our families and help us to train our children to bless others. Let’s commit to pray daily for one another this school year. 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights” (Jonah 1:17). God is a God of preparation in the sense of divine appointment. He divinely appointed a great fish to swallow up and discipline Jonah, a gourd or plant to highlight his desire for temporal comfort (4:6), a worm to devour the gourd to expose his misplaced priorities (4:7), and a vehement east wind to bring him to the end of himself (4:8). God is also of God of preparation in the sense of to make ready. Jesus said in John 14:2, “I go to prepare a place for you...” He is preparing a place for us in Heaven with this promise, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀: 𝟭. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. Let God stretch and prepare you as He did Daniel and Hebrew children, “Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans…As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom.” They were “ten times better” than the trained men in the King’s court. (Daniel 1:4, 17, 20). 𝟮. 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 - 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗹𝘆. The unconscious preparation of God means that we can confidently say, “God is using all of my life experience, and those He puts in my path to prepare me for His purposes yet.” Psalm 16:5 declares, “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.” God maintains or preserves for us what He has for us, and prepares us for what He has for us. Ezra prepared (to fix, establish, resolve) his heart, “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments” (7:10). Wiersbe stated, “According to Ezra 7:10, Ezra studied God’s Word, obeyed God’s Word, and taught God’s Word. He was like the person Jesus spoke about in Matthew 13:52: a student (learning) who was a disciple (living) and a householder (sharing). Having a balanced life is most important.” 𝟯. 𝗪𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲𝘀. It is said that, “Man proposes; God disposes.” We can make plans and we must, but we must remember that God is Sovereign and ultimately determines how things will turn out. Proverbs 16:9 states, “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps and the outcome. Oswald Chambers wrote, “Keep your life so constant in its contact with God that His surprising power may break out. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you leave room for God to come in as He wills.” May God prepare our hearts this week to “break out” with an attitude of praise and a mind of devoted service. 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - 2 Timothy 2:21 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 Hello Friend, In David Barton’s Four Centuries of American Education, he stated that our country’s main educational goal for the first three centuries (1600s–1800s) was to foster "religion, morality, and knowledge:” 𝟏𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 (𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐥): Focused on religious literacy, particularly the ability to read the Bible for salvation. 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 (𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐫𝐚): Aimed to establish the "pillars" of virtue, morality, and religion to sustain a free republic. 𝟏𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 (𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐄𝐫𝐚): Continued the emphasis on morality and religious principles, alongside foundational knowledge for citizenship. 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲 (𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧): Shifted away from religious foundations toward secularism and alternative philosophies. (youtu.be/5zxMbVAuuPA?si=t7Sk…). Basic academic knowledge of fourth graders in 1862 was material that is studied only in much higher grades today - if at all. From geography to math to history to civics and every other subject, early American education was far more advanced. Barton noted, “Many of America’s early educational leaders were patriots who had been directly involved in the American Revolution. They understood that if America was to endure beyond the Revolution, the principles on which she had been birthed, nurtured, and developed must be successfully transmitted to future generations: and it was for this reason that so many of them became directly involved in writing educational plans, authoring textbooks, or starting universities” (Barton, 2004, p. 23). Harvard, Yale and Princeton were started to train preachers. The two mottos of Harvard were, “For Christ and The Church“ and “For the Glory of Christ.” A statement from Harvard admonished: “Let every student be plainly instructed and...consider well, the main end of his life and studies is to know God and Jesus, which is eternal life (John 17:3), and therefore to lay Christ in the bottom as the only foundation of all sound knowledge and learning.” Dr. Barton documented that, “...at the university level in 1860, 262 out of 288 college presidents were ministers of the gospel—as were more than a third of all university faculty members” (p. 23). He went on to say, “While some would measure it (a good education) only by technological advances, it should also be measured by the content a student has learned—and by how well that student has been taught to think and to reason” (p. 3). Preachers must lead the way once again in education. We must start new schools and colleges to help train the next generation “to think, be real and be free.” Dr. Benjamin Rush is known as the “Penman of the Constitution.” His recommendation on education was, “Religion is the only solid basis of good morals; therefore, education should teach the precepts of religion and the duties of man towards God” (p. 25). The proper approach to education is to provide a biblical foundation and worldview upon and through which all subjects are taught and studied - “A sound education should instill the three elements long proven to be the basis of a successful education: religion, morality, and knowledge” (p. 51). According to Ritter (2024) and Ray (2026), 13-16% of students in America are in private schools and/or homeschool settings. It has been stated that a possible tipping point in impacting overall education in our country with more positive results may be reached when approximately 20% of our country’s students are in alternate education settings. Now is the time for Christian educators to step up and into this great vacuum of truth in our country’s educational system and make a difference. A great tool to reach and teach this next generation is Christian education. 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞. 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 “𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞.” 𝐏𝐫𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝. 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲, 𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐓𝐢𝐦 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐞 -------------------------------------------------------- You are invited to a special 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 luncheon this coming Tuesday here at Shining Light. We are hosting America’s premier historian 𝐃𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐧 of Wallbuilders in Dallas, Texas. You must reserve your spot by preregistering here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 Barton, D. (2004). Four centuries of American education (1st ed., 4th printing). Wallbuilder Press. Barton, D. [American Heritage Series]. (2020). American Heritage Series | Episode 20 | Four centuries of American education: Part 1 [Video]. YouTube. youtu.be/5zxMbVAuuPA?si=t7Sk… Ray, B. D. (2026, May 27). Research facts on homeschooling. National Home Education Research Institute. nheri.org/research-facts-on-… Ritter, C. (2024, January 17). 2024 EdChoice share: Exploring where America's students are educated. EdChoice. edchoice.org/2024-edchoice-s…

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟑 — 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐒: 𝐃𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑? 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭: Zechariah 1:5 “Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?” 𝟑. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 • “I am returned to Jerusalem with mercies: my house shall be built in it...” (Zechariah 1:16) God has a plan for His people. Get in on what He is doing. 𝐀. “𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈 𝐝𝐢𝐞” (𝟑 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞)—𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨: • 𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞—truthful and trusting with character and contentment (Proverbs 30:7–9) • 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝—someone I need to see again, make contact with, go and be reunited with (Genesis45:28) • 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬—those who will come after me—give them what I’ve gathered (Genesis 27:4) 𝐁. “𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐨𝐟: 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫” (𝟏 𝐉𝐨𝐡𝐧 𝟐:𝟏𝟕) • Give your life to that which never dies. • “Abide still” (1 Timothy 1:3) 1. Don’t develop the habit of laziness, loathing or leaving. 2. The key to accomplishing something for God is getting out of the bed, loving people, and staying. 3. Learn from your mistakes and keep going—“live it and give it.” 4. Sometimes you can’t feel, sense, or see God at work —that is when you say, “So, this is faith.” • Survive the quitting spots 1. Pray for the preacher who is suffering in silence; dying by degree, with a dagger in his heart only God can see. 2. When misrepresented and betrayed, study the life of Joseph. • That opportunity you despise today, you will desire tomorrow. (Numbers 27:14; Hebrews12:17) 𝐂. “𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐝𝐨 𝐢𝐭” (𝟏 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝟓:𝟐𝟒) • “...yet not I, but Christ...” (Galatians 2:20) 1. 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 (Galatians 2:20) 2. 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐫 (1 Corinthians 15:10) 3. 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 (1 Corinthians 7:10) • God is with me, for me, and working on mybehalf (Philippians 1:6). • Our lives are, “A vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14). The days of our years are, “Soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10). We are as,“…a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again” (Psalm 78:39). • Take care of the body God has given you—it is the only one you’ll get in this life. Live a balanced life with proper schedule, diet, exercise and rest (1 Corinthians 6:20). 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: It has been said, “Life is like a coin. You can spend it any which way you wish, but you can only spend it once.” Invest the coin of your life in eternity because the work of God is greater than us, the Word of God is more powerful than our word, and the will of God is more important than our will. 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem…... ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝟐 — 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐇𝐄𝐓𝐒: 𝐃𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐘 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑? 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭: Zechariah 1:5 “Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?” 𝟐. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐈𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 Zechariah 1:6 “But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned...” 𝐀. “𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬?” (𝐙𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟏:𝟔) - There is power and conviction in the Word of God! - In Jeremiah 37:17, King Zedekiah asked the prophet, “Is there any word from the Lord? And Jeremiah said, There is”. - This world needs to hear this Word from the Lord! “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) 2 Corinthians 4 declares that God has given us “this ministry” (vs. 1) to take “this treasure” (vs. 7) to “this world” (vs. 4) 𝐁. “𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐩...𝐚𝐬 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧𝐞?” (𝐙𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐡 𝟕:𝟑) - Truth always trumps tradition (fasts they instituted to commemorate special days in the nation’s history versus what God had commanded). - Don’t forsake the truth because some have mixed it with tradition or not represented it well. There will always be the Hananiahs in the ditch on the other side of the road of truth willing to preach a popular message in telling people what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear—proclaiming liberty and freedom while exchanging their yokes of wood for yokes of iron (Jeremiah 28:13). Thank God for those who love you enough to tell you the truth and hold you to it! 𝐂. “𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝” (𝟐 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝟒:𝟏) - “...a famine in the land...of hearing the words of the Lord:” (Amos 8:11) - “The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15b) - We are messengers of mercy—“one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.” 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: A Jehovah’s Witness came to my door and handed me a booklet entitled, “Is There Such a Thing As the Trinity?” I told him that if I came to his door I would preach Jesus to him. I also said that if I was Satan I would want people zealously telling others that there is no Trinity, Jesus is not God, and Hell doesn’t last forever. Because his is a works religion, I went on to say that his motive for coming to my door was selfish—it was about securing his eternity, not mine. - Giving out the truth is an act of selflessness for the genuine Christian. To not give it out is an act of selfishness. Give it out—the power is in the truth! (Isaiah 55:11; Romans 1:16) 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem…... ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏 — 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐬: 𝐃𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫? 𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭: Zechariah 1:5 “Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever?” 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Jeremiah and Zephaniah prophesied 𝐛𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 the Babylonian captivity; Ezekiel and Daniel 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠; Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝. - Though Haggai and Zechariah worked together, Haggai focused on the work before them (rebuilding the temple), while Zechariah (“God remembers”) focused on the work beyond them (Israel’s future and the 1st and 2nd coming of Christ). - Men of God should appreciate the contributions of each other to the Lord’s work. - Each man has his own ministry from the Lord, must carve the path God has for him (Joshua 17:14–18), and will hand it off to another one day. 𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐬 —“The former prophets” (Zechariah 1:4; 7:7) 𝐀. “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh” (Ecclesiastes 1:4) - There will always be those who are passing and those who are coming. The message outlives the messenger. - The flower of our life fades. The work of our God lives on. - What we can no longer do with energy, we must do with urgency. Our days are numbered! (Psalm 90:12) 𝐁. “...the Lord spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan...” (Joshua 1:1–2) - “A leader’s lasting value is measured by succession.” – Dr. Ron Comfort - Someone will someday stand in our stead. It’s not about us. It’s about Him and them! 𝐂. “...and thou mayest add thereto” (1 Chronicles 22:14) - We must prepare for the next generation—David prepared for Solomon. (The theme of 1 Chronicles 22 is prepare. The word is found five times in the chapter.) - We must prepare the next generation—train, equip, give every opportunity to bear fruit that remains—“able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2) 𝐈𝐥𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: A wealthy business man took the company his father left him and turned it into a billion-dollar enterprise. When asked how he had accomplished all that he had, he stated, “I started out with an awful lot handed to me.” “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 3:8) What an opportunity for a man’s influence to outlive him. God has designed that the way you live after you die is to die (to self) while you live. What a sacred honor to be entrusted with the fruit of a man’s life. What a head start some men have been given. - Timothys, your Pauls are trying to help you. - What are you doing to help them? 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem…... ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). Pastor Robert Butz told me recently how God used the following statement in his life that he heard Pastor Tom Sexton say years ago, “It’s not God’s will for your life, it’s your life for God’s will. God’s will is laid out in His Word. When you give yourself to do God’s will, He will lay out your path before you.” God did not create a purpose for us; He created us for a purpose. God’s purpose for Jeremiah was to: 1. Go where He wanted him to go - v 7a 2. Say what He wanted him to say - v 7b 3. Do what He wanted him to do - v 10 He was called to go, say, and do what God had purposed for his life with confident faith, and without fear—as the Lord commanded: “Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:8). We need courageous and compassionate servants of the Lord who will, like the weeping prophet Jeremiah, declare the truth of God’s Word with tears. As we walk in the light of God’s Word, His personal and providential purpose becomes clear to us: “But the path of the just is as the shining light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day” (Proverbs 4:18). And so many times, I have found His purpose sustaining my faith. May our prayer today be, “Show me why you put me in this world Lord and what you want me to do. I will start by walking in the light of your Word and trust you to make my path clear - My Life for Your Purpose.” 𝐀 𝐑𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞 “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [to revere] and wonderfully [distinguished] made: marvellous are thy works [a poem]; and that my soul knoweth right well. My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect [undeveloped - from egg to zygote to embryo to fetus to fully developed child to delivery]; and in thy book [a writing, story] all my members were written, which in continuance [from sunrise to sunset - your unique life story is unfolding from the beginning of life all the way through until the end of life on this earth] were fashioned [as the clay is formed by the Potter], when as yet there was none of them” (Psalm 139:14-16). 𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞.𝐜𝐨𝐦 ------------------------------ Sign up to receive the weekly 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥: theshininglightbaptistacadem… ------------------------------ Invite family and friends to tune in to 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 in their local area: mailchi.mp/ff33619d2ec2/tsl-….

Mark your calendar and plan to attend!