Spiritual Growth; August 13, 2024

Posted on August 14, 2024 by jgarrott

Luke 1:80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit; and he lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

There has been speculation about just what it means that John was “in the wilderness,” but it seems probable that he was in one of the Essene communities that sprang up in the Wilderness of Judea. Why he was there is another question, but considering the ages of his parents when he was born, it seems likely that he was orphaned when he was young. Living with the Essenes might have been a deliberate choice on the part of his last surviving parent, since there were no formal orphanages back then. The Essenes, incidentally, were the ones who left us the Dead Sea Scrolls, and more such scrolls have been discovered just recently. They obviously placed much value in the writings of the Old Testament prophets, and that environment was vital in the development of John, as the forerunner to the Messiah. That is why he became “strong in spirit.” After all, he was touched by the Holy Spirit in his mother’s womb! (Luke 1:41) The thing is, John would not have been equipped for his ministry without all that he experienced. Starting out with parents who were dedicated to God was vital, but being deprived of those parents at a young age was important too. We don’t like to think about it, but sometimes the hardest times in our lives are the most valuable, because they teach us that we are weak but God is strong, and He will enable us to get through things we never could on our own. There is speculation as to how much interaction John and Jesus might have had before the famous scene of Jesus’ baptism, but it’s obvious from that that they knew each other. It probably wasn’t just a momentary revelation to John that Jesus was more worthy to baptize him than the other way around. (Matthew 3:14) The point is, John was a prepared vessel in God’s hand, and he got that way through spiritual growth. If he had rebelled and gotten bitter at what he went through, he would not have been the giant he became. I’m sure the transition from Herod’s court to the court of heaven was absolutely glorious for him!

I don’t expect to enter heaven through decapitation, but there are certainly worse things! I am sharply aware that God has planned different courses for each of His children, but each of them involves growth. No one arrives fully formed and matured! It was quite a few years ago that I realized that if God had resurrected a particular person I prayed for, not many years after we arrived in Omura, pride and many other factors would have destroyed me. We don’t plan our own paths very well. I don’t know precisely what path lies ahead, or how long it will be, since I will turn 76 in a month, but I do know it will include continued growth, because I’m not yet what God intends me to be. That said, I’m not to draw back from any task He sets for me, because it is in the doing, by His strength, and the failing, by my own strength, that I will grow as He desires and intends.

Father, thank You for Your patience with me. As I am reminded from time to time, I would have given up on me a long time ago! Thank You for all You enabled us to do in preparing for the gallery show that starts today. Thank You for the surprising degree of anticipation of this show that we have seen in many people. Whether pictures sell or not, I pray that people would delight to receive the tracts we have prepared, that good seeds would be planted and that even harvest would be seen, for the salvation of souls and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Examples; August 12. 2024

Posted on August 13, 2024 by jgarrott

Luke 1:50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,
    from generation to generation.

This song of praise by Mary is forever enshrined in the Church as The Magnificat, because of the first words in Latin, and it is indeed a beautiful example of praise. It is of course directly comparable to the Psalms, which is interesting on a number of fronts. In the first place, many people tend to put that literary form in a box and relegate it to Old Testament times, but this is in the New Testament. More shocking for some, this was by a woman and not a man, shattering a prevalent “ministry” stereotype. There are many differences between men and women, but availability to God is not one of them! This verse is a statement on that subject, because it is completely gender neutral, simply stating that God’s mercy is with those who fear Him, regardless of any other factors. Thinking about it, it also deals with the time frame issue (OT vs. NT) by saying, “from generation to generation.” God is outside of time, so every time is now for Him. That’s something we have a hard time wrapping our minds around, but it is essential to understanding that even Old Testament saints were saved by the cross of Christ, though they knew nothing about it directly. We need to understand that everything mentioned in the Bible is just as possible today as it was back then, and anticipate God acting on behalf of His people for His glory. Things are happening all the time that could be lifted directly from the pages of the Bible! We need to focus on the governing theme of this verse, which is fearing God. We have trouble grasping that terminology because our definition of fear is too limited. This isn’t divorced from terror, but it much more on the side of respect. There is a Japanese proverb that says, “The three things to fear are typhoons, tigers, and your father.” The devil wants us to be afraid, but he doesn’t want us to have a right relationship with God, so he attacks the idea of fathers and fatherhood. To me, an excellent example of what a human father should be like is Nick Freitas, who is thankfully prominent in social media, besides being a politician. I feel sure his children are strong Christians, because he has taught them by his example. He could teach many what God is like, in strength, wisdom, mercy and humor.

I don’t have the platform Nick Freitas has, but I too strive to be a demonstration of the character of my heavenly Father. There are many excellent examples of both genders for us to follow, from Old Testament days all the way to today. The point is to let them turn our hearts to God, to fear, follow, and love Him, regardless of our circumstances. I disagree strongly with the “Mother of God” terminology that is used for Mary, but she is certainly a superb example of someone who let faith rule her actions. I want to be such an example for those who are watching me, so that they too may discover the grace and mercy of God, for their salvation and His glory.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that I am an “influencer,” even though social media has very little to do with it. May all of my interactions consistently point people to Christ, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Commitment; August 11, 2024

Posted on August 12, 2024 by jgarrott

Mark 10:46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.

Whether this is the same incident recorded in Matthew 20 is open to question, but because of Mark recording Peter’s recollections, the name of Bartimaeus is forever famous. Since so few names of people Jesus healed are recorded, I think this is clear evidence that Bartimaeus’ devotion to Jesus wasn’t just a flash in the pan, but continued on past the crucifixion and resurrection. In Sunday School many children learn of “blind Bartimaeus,” but the point is, he didn’t stay blind. He received from Jesus not only physical sight, but spiritual sight as well, following Him as a disciple. Far too often people are blessed by Jesus, even miraculously, and then fade away, focusing on the blessing rather than on the One who blessed them. We are blessed in countless ways, but there is only one Savior. It is somewhat ironic, but good things can distract us from God. When we are busy enjoying life, God tends to become peripheral in our thinking. I have long been convinced that the reason God allows trials in our lives is to remind us that we can’t go it alone, but He is there to help us. That awareness is one of the greatest blessings! My heart says a strong AMEN to Paul’s statement to the Corinthian believers: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Jesus Himself cautioned us that we would have troubles, (John 16:33) but they are no big deal when we are in Him, because He is the ultimate Victor. “Christus Victor” has been put down as a theological position because it is “simplistic,” but I think that those who put it down have some growing to do in the area of faith! Bartimaeus knew from experience that even severe trials faded into insignificance, compared to the incredible privilege of a personal relationship with the Son of God, and we need to come to the same position of faith and commitment.

This is of course what I have been growing into my whole life. I declared at age five that I loved Jesus even more than I loved my mother, but that was certainly an infantile love. My love, and particularly my commitment, have grown over the years. I am grateful that even 40 years ago I projected, without saying it in words, that my relationship with Jesus was more important than life, but in many small ways I still violated that commitment. Such violations are becoming fewer and farther between, but I eagerly look forward to the day when nothing will stand between me and my Lord. In the meantime, I need to be active in whatever the Lord shows me He wants me doing, whether in words or physical activity. That He has left me here is proof that He still has work for me to do, and I am to do it with joy, as unto Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all that You are doing in and around me. Thank You for those who will be here for the service today, and for the meal and cleaning time afterward. I ask for Your clear guidance as the man comes at 4 to talk with us about the condition of the roof, that we would be good stewards of what You have provided, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Evangelism; August 10, 2024

Posted on August 11, 2024 by jgarrott

Mark 5:20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

This is in sharp contrast to what Jesus told various other people to do after He healed them, but there were two major differences in the circumstances. In the first place, the majority of people in the area weren’t Jewish, as should be obvious from the huge herd of pigs. In the second place, this man had been in a condition that he would have had no personal pride left. He was doubtless well known in the area as “that crazy guy,” and seeing him looking sane and normal had been a huge shock to the people who had first checked out the story of his deliverance. Because of that, his testimony must have been totally centered on Jesus. Verse 7 shows that he was fully aware of who Jesus was, and that knowledge stayed with him even after the demons left. He had far more awareness of spiritual realities than the vast majority of people who have ever lived! You could make a case for his being the first designated Evangelist. Spiritual gifting aside, he was absolutely convinced of the power and grace of God, and he was totally over being self-centered. That sounds like a good evangelist to me!

I have never felt I was gifted as an evangelist, but I still have the privilege of sharing the good news of God’s kingdom with all who will listen. Over the past 43 years I have had the privilege of baptizing around 50 people, but I certainly didn’t save any of them. For many of them, God used words He spoke through me to open their hearts to acknowledge Jesus as Lord, and for that I am deeply grateful. Some were convinced and convicted by other things before they ever got to me, and a few figured out how to say the right words without ever having a real change of heart. Those make me sad to remember. I’ve got to keep it in my heart and mind that I can’t save anyone, but God can and will use me to save people if I will keep myself available to Him. My story certainly isn’t as dramatic as this demoniac, but what matters is what God says and does.

Father, thank You for this reminder. In the week ahead I’ll be interacting with a lot of people. I pray that You would indeed use me to open their hearts and draw them to You, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Hypocrisy; August 9, 2024

Posted on August 10, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 23:24 “You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”

I was wondering what verse I would write on, and then I realized that this verse encapsulates the whole thing, and does it with humorous hyperbole. The chapter starts with Jesus warning his disciples, both the 12 and the larger crowd that followed Him, to listen to what the scribes and the Pharisees had to say, but not imitate them. All the rules that the religious leaders gave so much attention to weren’t bad in themselves, but all sense of proportion, not to mention the original purpose of the rules, was lost. Looking at this verse specifically, it’s not that we are to welcome swallowing gnats, but rather that camels are to be avoided! It is right after this verse that Jesus goes into his strongest, and longest, diatribe against the hypocritical religious leaders. The way I read this was forever changed by watching Matthew from The Visual Bible. They intended to do the whole New Testament, but only managed to do Matthew and Acts, but those are pow­erful indeed. Other than a few introductory words to set things up, the only dialog used is the text of the NIV translation. They frame it as Matthew in old age, dictating his recollections to a granddaughter, perhaps, and a couple of male secretaries who are writing it all down. The actor who played Jesus, Bruce Marchiano, was a committed Christian, and my impression is that he spent as much time in prayer as he did memorizing lines. He had two guiding principles he felt the Lord had given him, and those were that Jesus delighted to do what He did, rejoicing to be the Savior, and that absolutely everything Jesus did was done in love. That second principle left him in a difficult place when he came to this chapter, because Jesus’ words seem so harsh against the scribes and Pharisees. When it came time to film it, they started around 4 pm, thinking they would get some footage and then continue the next day. The set was a stone pavement, and besides Jesus and the 12 disciples they had several people dressed as scribes and Pharisees. The actor started, and went straight through without a single dropped word or other mistake, all the way to verse 39. They had four cameras on the set, and two of them ran out of film! The most miraculous part, however, was that you will never hear such a scolding, so filled with love. Jesus didn’t say these things because He hated the scribes and Pharisees, but precisely because He loved them. There was so much emotional energy in the scene that when the actor finished verse 39 he fell to his knees on the stone pavement in exhaustion, and completely unscripted, the actor playing Peter rushed to his side to see if he was alright. Watching it, my tears would not stop. That actor was indeed filled and moved by the Holy Spirit, giving revelation by his performance that I am convinced was totally true to how it actually happened. God doesn’t hate hypocrites, but He certainly hates their hypocrisy. We can seldom separate acts from those who do them, but God can and does. He loves us, even when we do the worst things!

As I said, watching that video forever changed how I read this chapter, and various other passages in the Bible as well. I want to be as clear a vessel of love as I saw Jesus to be, even when the words He has me speak are strong. And I want to be absolutely true to what He has said to and through me, with no hypocrisy. I’m certainly not perfect, any more than Paul was, (Philippians 3:12-14) but I am absolutely convinced of God’s love for me, and I want that love to flow unhindered through me. My imperfection may at times come across as hypocrisy, but I pray that it would not, and that people would be drawn to Christ through me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for The Visual Bible, and for the impact it has had on many, I am sure. The plans of the producers were grandiose, but I think they did what You wanted them to. I pray that I would fulfill Your plans and not my own, for Your glory alone. Thank You. Praise God!

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Credentials; August 8, 2028

Posted on August 9, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 20:30 Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

Either this incident or a very similar one is recorded in other Gospels as well, with variations, but the thing that stands out to me right now is the insistence on the title, Son of David. That title was Messianic to say the least! These men, unable to do anything but beg, think and talk, had used those last two abilities and come to the conclusion that this Jesus they had been hearing about was indeed the promised One. When they realized that Jesus was physically close to them, their excitement couldn’t be restrained. Thus, it is entirely logical that once they were healed, they followed Jesus. (verse 34) Their focus wasn’t simply on “Jesus the healer,” but on the conviction that He was indeed the prophesied Messiah. It is fascinating that these men, doubtless uneducated because of their disability, had more insight than most of the religious intelligentsia! It is precisely like the incident recorded in John 9, where a man born blind essentially made fools of the men who interrogated him after Jesus healed him. Academic credentials mean nothing if the person is not open to God. We set up all sorts of criteria for evaluating people, but most of them are largely meaningless. It’s not that academic study is of no value, but it must be on the foundation of a personal relationship with our Creator for it to really mean anything on the eternal scale. These men leapfrogged the teachers of the Law!

My family tree is replete with academic degrees of all sorts, and my father got his PhD shortly before his 24th birthday. His dissertation was on The New Testament Use of In Jesus, In Christ, and In the Lord (those three are given in Greek). However, he told me personally that he had no idea what is was to be “in Christ” until after he had a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit, after he was already a missionary in Japan. It wasn’t until his massive intellect was submitted to God that it really did him the good God intended. That doesn’t mean he wasn’t a committed Christian before then. After all, he went to seminary to study to be a minister, and during that period spent a summer in Havana Cuba as the interim pastor of an English language congregation there. It’s just that he needed his eyes opened by the operation of the Holy Spirit, to see and act on who and what Christ was to him. I’ve not gone as far as getting a doctorate, but I am very thankful for my father’s example and testimony. Rather than chasing after “credentials,” I want to press in to know more of my Lord. I did consider going back to school of a Doctor of Missiology, but when I discovered that the school I was interested in required a language other than English and the language of the nation where you ministered, I decided that it would probably be meaningless academics for the sake of academics. I am reminded of Stuart Briscoe, who left a career in banking to minister, and told government officials he attended “Bedside Bible College!” The credentials of any believer are the fruit they bear, just as Jesus said. (Matthew 7:16-20 and others)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Help me not despise know­ledge, but rather keep it on the firm foundation of knowing You, so that I may not be distracted or deceived, but rather grow as You intend, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Forgiveness; August 7, 2024

Posted on August 8, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 18:35 “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Wow! Just this past Sunday I quoted Matthew 6:14-15 in the message, saying that it was a passage that really gave me pause, but here Jesus doubles down on our forgiving people being absolutely essential. Here, He specifies that our forgiving must be “from the heart.” There’s no “wiggle room,” either in Japanese or in English! We can’t just say pious words and then go away unchanged. The parable Jesus tells here illustrates the reality behind this principle. Our debt to our Lord is absolutely beyond our ability to repay, so any debt someone might have toward us is by definition far smaller. The problem is, we don’t grasp just how great our debt toward God is. In the first place, He created us and everything around us, so we owe Him that. However, He doesn’t hold that against us. Where it starts to add up is all the ways we ignore Him and His instructions to us, often enough by deliberate choice of our will. That gets huge very quickly! Jesus is using the illustration of financial debt here because it’s something we can wrap our minds around. It’s not at all that we could financially pay off our sin debt to God! Our problem is perspective. In this parable Jesus has the fellow servant owing the man 100 denarii, which would be 100 days’ wages. To us today, that looks like a big chunk of change, but the man’s own debt was thousands of times greater, because one talent was equal to 6,000 denarii. Even Elon Musk would have trouble with that one! When we realize the gravity of our sin toward God, then what people do to us very quickly becomes trivial.

As I have written before, I seem to have an easier time forgiving people than many do. It may be because of the Lord having shown me my own soul, just for a moment, and I was driven to my knees in repentance. My biggest issue at that point was pride, and that factors greatly into forgiveness. If we think we are morally superior to the person who offended us, then forgiveness will be difficult. God showed me I wasn’t morally superior to anybody, and I will be eternally grateful for that revelation. The thing is, life continues to happen, and I’ve got to keep forgiving those around me in order to stay in the flow of God’s forgiveness toward me. I can’t do it in my own strength, but by God’s grace He makes it possible.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I am irritated by people and circumstances on a daily basis. Keep me from letting any of that fester, but help me release it all, as You have released me. The debtors’ prison illustration in this parable is real. May I have nothing to do with that, but walk in the freedom of Your Spirit, (2 Corinthians 3:17) for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Political Correctness; August 6, 2024

Posted on August 7, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 17:17  “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.”

Whatever else you might say about Jesus, you could hardly call Him “politically correct!” There is one difference between the Japanese and most English translations that takes a little of the sting out of this particular verse. Where the English says “generation,” the Japanese says “era,” specifying a time period rather than people. Whether that is accurate to the feeling of the Greek is not something I can judge, but it certainly illustrates the Japanese desire to use polite terminology, regardless of the actual message. In the past, America has been famous for straight speaking, but political correctness has infiltrated to a distressing degree, to the point that in some circles simple truth is deemed offensive. Jesus would never agree with that! We aren’t to be needlessly offensive, but we are never to abandon truth in the effort to be polite. Sometimes that can make evangelism awkward, because a call to repentance is certainly the opposite of political correctness! We need the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit, but we also need to remember Jesus’ example, and be as blunt as called for, without being needlessly hurtful.

I have recently had a major run-in with this issue. As it turned out, I was in the wrong because I didn’t have the facts straight, but what was taken issue with was the way I spoke. I had no malice whatsoever, but my way of speaking was taken as injurious. Discussing the incident with spiritually mature bystanders, the observation was made that my speech is often more direct than a Japanese would use. Having lived the vast majority of my life in Japan, that came as a bit of a shock. However, it was given as a counter to one thing that had been said to me, that “You need to be more like Jesus.” Two other people I consulted with later both pointed out what today’s passage illustrates, that Jesus wasn’t politically correct. I am to seek to heal wounds I have caused, now and in the future, but I am not to retreat into political correctness. At the same time, I must always be careful to speak the truth in love, and remember that I don’t always have to say everything I know or feel, however true it might be. The devil tries to use these things to divide us, and he is too often successful. I am to let the love and grace of God flow through me, in whatever form He wants it to take, so that the Body of Christ may be built up as He desires and intends, for His glory.

Father, thank You for further expanding the lesson You’ve been teaching me. Help me accept it all with gratitude and joy, however painful parts of it might be, so that Your purposes may be accomplished in and through me for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Focus; August 5, 2024

Posted on August 6, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 15:27-28 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”
Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

This is a justly famous story, and many have commented on it. One thing I don’t recall hearing about it, though, is the woman’s humility. It is astounding that she accepted the designation of “little dog” in order to get Jesus to help her. As Jesus said, her faith was excellent, because it identified Him as the One who could help her, and she considered herself as nothing before Him. It is all the more impressive that she responded as she did when she was a Canaanite, and Jesus was a Jew. Friction between those groups had been going on ever since Joshua – which is interesting, since he and Jesus shared the same name. The other thing that hits me, which others have also commented on, is how fully Jesus was focused on His immediate task. His first response to her, quoted in verse 24, seems shockingly cold to us today: “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” He wasn’t going to let even something clearly good – helping this woman – get in the way of what the Father had sent Him to do. However, the woman’s remarkable faith and humility got through to Him even so. Later, when some Greeks came inquiring about Him, (John 12:20-24) He knew He was about to be arrested and crucified for all mankind, extending God’s salvation far past the Jews to whom He was sent initially. We need to be as focused on what God desires of us as fully as Jesus was, and at the same time be open to exceptions, just as Jesus was in this story. It has always been very interesting that the two times Jesus explicitly commended people for their faith, (here and the centurion with the sick servant in Matthew 8) those commended were Gentiles. Even those who weren’t initially invited “got in on the party” by their faith. It all comes down to letting God be God, and following wherever and however He leads.

God is the judge of how sharp my focus has been. In retrospect, it seems like it has been very blurry at times! I have stayed where the Lord sent me, but sometimes all I seemed to be giving was my physical presence. I have no idea how many years the Lord intends to keep using me on this earth, but my focus needs to keep getting sharper. As a photographer, I can really grasp that! I have software that can help correct focus after the fact, but the results are never as good as when I am both zeroed in and steady to begin with. I want to be doing what God desires of me, but not be so fixated on what I understand that I don’t recognize His appointments for me. Today I’ll be working on grouping and labeling pictures for my photo show in just over a week, but I’ll also be encountering people God sends my way. I need to let go of my agenda and be fully committed and obedient to my Lord, for His glory alone.

Father, this went differently than I thought it would when I started. Thank You for getting past my preconceptions. Thank You also for the reminder about humility. May I indeed be fully humble before You so that I may be fully available to You for however You want to use me, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Legalism vs. Love; August 4, 2024

Posted on August 5, 2024 by jgarrott

Matthew 12:7-8 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

As many times as the original passage from Hosea 6:6 is quoted in the rest of the Bible, you’d think the point would get across! Jesus certainly liked it, and his biggest enemies were the legalistic Pharisees. The thing is, legalism is easier than genuine heart-commitment. External rules are easy to formulate, but they don’t change what a person is. Human cultures have struggled with this ever since the Garden of Eden. What makes it complicated is that no rules at all doesn’t cut it either. God knows what is good for us and what will harm us, and His rules are based on that. That’s why John could say that God’s commands are not burdensome. (1 John 5:3) The instruction manual for a complicated piece of machinery might seem difficult, but complaining about it would be illogical at best. At the same time, slavish legalism never helped anyone. That said, we seem to get a kick out of breaking rules! That’s why the Japanese translation of the Hosea quote really clicks with me. Rather than saying “mercy,” it says “genuine love.” It’s no accident that the “1st and 2nd” Commandments both deal with love. (Matthew 22:36-40) However, it’s important that the Japanese specifies “genuine.” We are all too prone to substitute eros, self-centered love, for the agape, unconditional love, that God desires.

This is obviously a subject of great importance, and I could go on and on about it. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m living it out the way God desires. I’ve got to operate in humility at all times, recognizing my own weaknesses and depending on God. Any love I generate on my own is inadequate! I have always disliked legalism, but that tends to make me judgmental of legalistic people, which is again a violation of love! Like everyone else, I think, I want people to be merciful with me, but I don’t always extend that mercy to them. I’ve got to operate in humility and repentance, for God’s character and will to be manifested through me.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the strong lesson on this subject You’ve been teaching me over the past week. I pray that I and everyone else involved would learn the lesson and give you the obedience You deserve, so that the Body of Christ may be built up for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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