From Jim McGuiggan... GIVE US SOME CREDIT

GIVE US SOME CREDIT

Not all non-Christians are as shallow as Sam Harris or as self-serving in his bitterness as Richard Dawkins or as loftily silly as Steven Weinberg or Daniel Dennett in their criticism of Christians. Still, plenty of criticism comes our way and we ask for a fair amount of it, especially when it’s leveled against those among us that lead and we need forgiveness. But allowing for legitimate criticism, we still need to say that the vast majority of believers in Jesus Christ are decent, law-abiding, kind, compassionate, sensitive and sharing people. It’s true we can be led down dead-end streets with really rotten theology and some bizarre religious celebrities as ramrods, but when we’re not parroting the religious nonsense we’ve been caught up in, we’re hard-working and honest people who are conscientious in life, we’re good neighbors and we make good friends.

No union or government or political party critiques itself as consistently as we do. Week after week entire congregations of Christians hear a call to greater commitment to God and the world he loves, to greater generosity and a more fervent outreach to the people on the fringes of life. Sadly some churches are verbally raped week after week and how they endure it for years only God knows, but the good news is that that isn’t the approach of all church leaders. Nevertheless there’s still a steady call for more, even while there’s praise for progress experienced. Whole assemblies are called to pursue truth and goodness as it’s seen in Jesus and they bow their heads and hearts and pray for that together.

We bring our children to worship, right from the beginning, to have them shaped in the likeness of the clean-souled, people-loving and brave self-giving Jesus Christ. We pray not only for ourselves and for our own, we pray for yours and for the hurting of the world. When we can't go ourselves we financially help organizations and communities to shelter and feed the poor, to bring clean water, vitamins and medical supplies to the sick and dying and pillaged. We band together and get jobs for the jobless, build houses for the homeless and share clothing with the destitute.

We weep over the motherless and in our tens of thousands we engage every day in voluntary work in nursing homes, hospital laundries and kitchens and we watch over the children of anxious parents who must go out to work. Together in our millions we confer tangible gifts on countless people but because we're followers of and believers in Jesus Christ we put a great message of bravery and hope in people.

For the breadth of good works, for the influence we've had on non-Christians that has shaped them so that they too engage in good works, for the amount of our financial aid and hands-on help there’s nothing like us in the world.

So don’t ask us to be Jesus—we'll gladly tell you there’s only one Jesus and he’s light years beyond us. Don’t be overly generous in your praise of us—we’ll tell you we’re not that good—yet. But be fair in your criticism of us because with all our flaws we’re probably the best thing you ever seen and almost certainly better than any organization you’re not involved with.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Superiority Of Christ's Priesthood (Hebrews 7:20-28)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

            The Superiority Of Christ's Priesthood (7:20-28)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the first seven chapters of "The Epistle To The Hebrews", the
   main thought is the superiority of Christ...
   a. To the prophets - He 1:1-3
   b. To angels - He 1:4-2:18
   c. To Moses - He 3:1-5
   d. To Aaron and his Levitical priesthood - He 5:1-10; 7:1-28

2. In showing the superiority of Jesus' priesthood, the author has done
   so step-by-step...
   a. Jesus is qualified to be a priest by virtue of His calling by God
      and His suffering - He 5:1-8
   b. He has been called to be "a priest forever according to the order
      of Melchizedek" - He 5:9-10
   c. The priestly order of Melchizedek is shown to be superior by 
      comparing Abraham and Melchizedek - He 7:1-10
   d. That Christ has become such a priest has several implications 
      - He 7:11-19
      1) The Levitical priesthood could not make one perfect before 
         God
      2) The Law upon which the Levitical priesthood was based has been
         annulled
      3) Christ now provides "a better hope, through which we draw near
         to God"

3. This brings us to He 7:20-28, in which we find a climatic 
   comparison...
   a. Where Jesus is contrasted with those who served in the Levitical
      priesthood
   b. Where "The Superiority Of Christ's Priesthood" is clearly 
      demonstrated

[In this passage, we find at least four points illustrating Jesus'
superiority, the first of which pertains to...]

I. HIS DIVINE APPOINTMENT (20-22)

   A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE APPOINTED BY A "COMMAND"...
      1. Beginning with Aaron, he and his descendants served in the 
         Levitical priesthood
      2. It was a divine command that so appointed them - Exo 28:1-4
      3. While divinely commanded, it was not with an oath
 
   A. JESUS WAS MADE A PRIEST WITH AN "OATH"...
      1. Again, the reference is to Ps 110:4, in which God swore an
         oath concerning the coming Messiah and His priesthood
      2. We saw earlier that a promise joined with an oath really 
         confirms the "immutability" (unchangeableness) of God's 
         counsel - cf. He 6:17
      2. Appointed by an oath and not just a command, Jesus has become
         "a surety of a better covenant"...
         a. "surety" means "guarantor" (NEB)
         b. Appointed by such an oath from God, Jesus guarantees the 
            new covenant, that it is "better" (there is that key word 
            again!)

[The superiority of Christ's priesthood is also illustrated by...]

II. HIS ETERNAL INTERCESSION (23-25)

   A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE LIMITED IN SERVICE BY "DEATH"...
      1. When one died, another took his place
      2. Of necessity there had to be "many priests"

   B. JESUS "EVER LIVES" TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR US...
      1. That is because "He continues forever"
      2. As seen earlier, Jesus came "according to the power of an 
         endless life" - He 7:16
      3. He therefore "has an unchangeable priesthood"
         a. He is "able to save to the uttermost those who come to God
            through Him"
            1) He can do what the law could not do:  make one "perfect"
               - cf. He 7:19
            2) That is, make one "holy, and blameless" - cf. Col 1:21-22
         b. And "He ever lives to make intercession for them"
            1) I have always been impressed by this phrase
            2) For it suggests what Jesus is doing for us now, and is
               most willing to do!

[As we continue in our text, we see yet another contrast with Levitical
priests...]

III. HIS PERFECT CHARACTER (26-27)

   A. LEVITICAL PRIESTS WERE "SINNERS"...
      1. Some more so than others
      2. Even the best of them had to "offer up sacrifices"...
         a. On a daily basis
         b. For his own sins before offering sacrifices others

   B. JESUS IS "SEPARATE FROM SINNERS"...
      1. We see our High Priest described in regards to...
         a. His holy character:  "holy, harmless, undefiled, separate
            from sinners"
         b. His preeminent position:  "higher than the heavens"
         -- Thus He does not need to offer sacrifices for Himself
      2. This makes Him a High Priest "fitting" (becoming, seemly) for
         us

[Add to His perfect character another element that shows His superior
priesthood...]

IV. HIS PERMANENT SACRIFICE (27)

   A. THE LEVITICAL PRIESTS SACRIFICED "DAILY"...
      1. Every day they offered sacrifices for their own sins and for
         those of the people
      2. That they had to be continually offered implies a fundamental
         weakness in the efficacy of the sacrifices themselves
      3. Later we learn that the problem was the inability of animal
         sacrifices to make one perfect and to cleanse the conscience 
         of sins - He 10:1-4; cf. 9:9

   B. JESUS OFFERED HIMSELF "ONCE FOR ALL"...
      1. This implies the efficacy of His sacrifice
      2. The superiority of Jesus' sacrifice will be explained further,
         later on- cf. He 9:11-15; 10:11-14

CONCLUSION

1. In verse 28, we find a summary statement that contrasts the two 
   priesthoods...
   a. The "law", upon which the Levitical priesthood derives its
      authority, appoints men who "have weaknesses"; for example:
      1) They are sinners themselves, and death terminates their
         service
      2) Their sacrifices cannot truly remove sin, so had to be
         repeated daily and yearly
   b. The "oath", given after the law and the basis for Christ's
      priesthood, appoints the Son "who has been perfected forever";
      for example:
      1) His humanity and the obedience learned through suffering makes
         Him most "fitting" to be our High Priest - cf. He 2:17-18;
         4:14-16; 5:8-9
      2) His sinlessness makes the sacrifice of Himself the perfect and
         all-sufficient sacrifice, given once for all! - cf. He 10:
         12-14

2. In chapters 9 and 10, the focus of this epistle will center on the
   superiority of Christ's sacrifice; but for now, our attention has 
   been on those things that illustrate what our great High Priest:
   a. His appointment by an oath from God, not just a command
   b. His eternal intercession, not limited by death
   c. His perfect character, untainted by sin
   d. His permanent sacrifice, offered once for all when He offered 
      Himself

Don't you desire to have such a High Priest interceding in your behalf?
Then as Christians...

   "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we 
   may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." - He 4:16

Let us never forget that "He ever lives to make intercession" for those
who come to God through Him!

xecutable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary... Problems, PROBLEMS!!!

Some wedding cake!!!  I like it because it says something unusual; As a couple, you will endure problems. Facing problems is one of the biggest aspects in a marriage relationship!!!  As I reflect a bit on this, it seems to me that without problems, my wife and I might not have lasted as long as we have.  But, where do we go when problems pop up...?

Jeremiah, Chapter 29

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope and a future.  12 You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  13 You shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. 

Now, I don't know what your problems are, but God has the answer (HE ALWAYS DOES).  I can only tell you from personal experience that I handle them better when I seek God (no, that's not right- WHEN I SEEK GOD!!!!). Today, whatever may happen, let this Jeremiah passage become your "go to" thought for today.  Life may not be "a piece of cake", but I tell you - YOU WILL NOT BE ALONE; YOU WILL FIND HELP!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... A MIDSUMMER KNIGHT

A MIDSUMMER KNIGHT

It makes perfect sense for those who’ve been given a wondrous gift to be grateful for it and, all things being equal, for them to think highly of the one who gave it to them. It’s no surprise that they will praise the generosity of the giver and the costliness of the gift. But it would distasteful if the giver went on and on and on about how much it cost him and how good it was of him to make the gesture.

Can you imagine being invited to a sumptuous meal of the tastiest and most nutritious things in the nicest of company and having to listen to the host explain it minute detail—not once but over and over again—how much trouble and how much expense she had to go to to produce the grand spread? (Could you enjoy a meal, however fine it is, under such circumstances?) Everyone knows that such matters should be left to the guests to winkle out of the reluctant host who is all the while saying things like, “Really, it was nothing!” “Honestly, it was no trouble.” Such a host isn’t lying; she’s simply expressing her pleasure at having the opportunity to go out of her way to please and it is precisely because she will not make a big thing of it that the guests think so much of her and her efforts.

There is something Christ-like in that spirit. We have no record of Jesus setting his disciples down and telling them how good it is of him to do for them and others what he is doing and going to do. “If only you could know how much this is all costing me, but, alas, no one can appreciate the depths to which I have descended. If I could only make you understand…” None of that. That others do some of that is no surprise, but even they are sparing in how they deal with that aspect of the Lord’s sacrifice and we aren’t left to feel so overwhelmed by his trouble that we can’t enjoy the gift of life he gives us to enjoy and express. Now that we’ve come to know him it’s the kind of thing we expect from him.

O’Henry tells of Gaines, “the man who said he thought New York was the finest summer resort in the country.” While others moaned and melted in the heat, dived for the shade or an electric fan, and wished for the mountains, he mocked the notion of going to the woods to eat canned goods from the city, being wakened in the morning by a million flies, getting soaked to the skin catching the tiniest fish and struggling up perpendicular cliffs. No sir, he preferred to stay at home. If he wanted fish, he’d go to a cool restaurant—home comforts, that’s what he chose, while the fools spent half their summer driving to and from their spartan locations with all the modern inconveniences.

A friend urged him to come with him for two weeks to Beaverkill, where the fish were jumping at anything that even looked like a fly. He said a mutual friend, Harding, had caught a three-pound brown trout—but Gaines was having none of it. “Nonsense!” he’d snort and then off to his office to plunge himself into a mountain of work until late in the afternoon when, with feet up on his desk, he mused to himself: “I wonder what kind of bait Harding used.”

The man who said he thought that New York was the finest summer resort in the country dozed off in the stifling heat, was wakened by his mail-bringing clerk, and decided to take a quick look before he left for the day. A few lines of one of them said:

       My Dear Dear Husband:

Just received your letter ordering us to stay another month...Rita’s cough is almost gone...Johnny has gone wild like a little Indian...it will be the making of both children...work so hard, and I know that your business can hardly afford to keep us here so long...best man that ever...you always pretend that you like the city in summer...trout fishing that you used to be so fond of...and all to keep us well and happy...come to you if it were not doing the babies so much good...I stood last evening on Chimney Rock in exactly the same spot...when you put the wreath of roses on my head...said you would be my true knight...have always been that to me...ever and ever.

The man who said he thought New York was the finest summer resort in the country, on his way home in the sweltering summer heat, dropped into a cafe and had a glass of warm beer under an electric fan. “Wonder what kind of a fly old Harding used,” he murmured to himself.

I love it when those in love sometimes “tell lies” gallantly. They say things no one believes—least of all themselves. They’re forever making sacrifices—some large, some little—to make life easier, finer, lovelier, for those they love. They’re in love and they do what lovers have done in every age down the centuries—they give themselves in whatever ways their love and situation calls for. And they do it without trumpets blowing or affected sweetness and they don’t wear pained expressions. They’d almost convince you that they really did believe that New York City was the finest summer resort in America.

[Quoted from my little book called Let Me Count The Ways with permission from Howard Publishing Company, West Monroe, Louisiana, 2001]

 

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, theabidingword.com.

From Mark Copeland... The Significance Of Christ's Priesthood (Hebrews 7:11-19)

                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS"

           The Significance Of Christ's Priesthood (7:11-19)

INTRODUCTION

1. A major theme in "The Epistle To The Hebrews" is the priesthood of
   Jesus Christ...
   a. His humanity prepared Him to be "a merciful and faithful High
      Priest" - He 2:17
   b. He is the "High Priest of our confession" - He 3:1
   c. He is "a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens" 
      - He 4:14
   d. He is a sympathetic High Priest, for He "was in all points 
      tempted as we are, yet without sin" - He 4:15
   e. His calling as High Priest came from God Himself - He 5:5-6

2. His is a unique priesthood, however...
   a. It is NOT according to the "Levitical priesthood"
      1) He is a not priest in the order of Aaron
      2) A priesthood that began with the giving of the Law through 
         Moses at Mt. Sinai
   b. His priesthood is "according to the order of Melchizedek" - He 5:
      9-10
      1) Melchizedek was a priest "of God Most High" who met Abram 
         - Gen 14:14-20
      2) And God swore that the Messiah would be a priest like 
         Melchizedek - Ps 110:4

3. In our previous study, we saw Melchizedek was superior in that...
   a. He received tithes from Abraham - He 7:4-6a
   b. He blessed Abraham - He 7:6b-7
   c. Even Levi, in the loins of his ancestor Abraham, paid tithes to
      Melchizedek - He 7:9-10
   -- All of this proving that the priesthood of Christ, which is after
      the order of Melchizedek, is superior to the Levitical priesthood

4. That Jesus would come to serve as a priest after the order the
   Melchizedek is not without significance and major implications...
   a. Regarding the efficacy of the Levitical priesthood
   b. Regarding the law of Moses itself!

[Some of the significance and implications of Christ's priesthood is 
described in He 7:11-19.  As we consider "The Significance Of Christ's
Priesthood", we note first that ...]

I. THE LEVITICAL PRIESTHOOD WAS LACKING (11)

   A. IT DID NOT BRING "PERFECTION"...
      1. Otherwise there would not have been another priest to arise
         like Melchizedek
      2. That one was foretold (Ps 110:4) and has come proves the 
         order of Aaron was lacking

   B. THE MEANING OF "PERFECTION"...
      1. Perfection means "completeness" and in this context it speaks
         of making men acceptable to God (Believers' Study Bible)
      2. The Old Law with its priesthood could never fully reconcile 
         man back to God
         a. Animal sacrifices could not make one "perfect" - He 10:1
         b. They could not cleanse the sinner's conscience - He 10:2-3;
            cf. 9:9
         c. They could not take away sin - He 10:4; cf. 10:11

[Jesus coming as a priest after the order of Melchizedek implies that
the Levitical priesthood, while having served the purpose for which it
was intended (to foreshadow the sacrifice of Christ), was not able to
provide man what he really needs.  

The priesthood of Christ also signifies...]

II. THE LAW HAS BEEN ANNULLED (12-18)

   A. A CHANGE IN THE PRIESTHOOD SIGNIFIES A CHANGE IN THE LAW...
      1. Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi - He 7:13-14;
         cf. Mt 1:1-2
      2. Moses had not authorized anyone from Judah to serve as priest;
         indeed, God specifically forbid anyone other than a descendant
         of Aaron - cf. Num 16:40
      3. For Christ to serve as priest, then, a change must have 
         occurred - He 7:14
      4. Especially for one who serves "according to the power of an 
         endless life" - He 7:15-17
         a. The Levitical priests were "mortal men", whose service 
            ended at death
         b. But Jesus is a priest "forever", His priesthood is 
            therefore unchangeable - He 7:24

   B. WITH THE CHANGE IN PRIESTHOOD, THE LAW IS NOW ANNULLED...
      1. "Annulled" means "to declare as void, to invalidate, to 
         abrogate" (Lightfoot)
      2. The "former commandment" (as the Law is called) has therefore
         been set aside - He 7:18-19a
         a. Because it was weak and unprofitable
         b. In the sense of making us "perfect" (acceptable to God) 
            - cf. He 10:1
      3. That the Law has been done away should not surprise us...
         a. God foretold this would happen - cf. He 8:7-13
         b. Jesus implied that the Law would be done away once it was 
            fulfilled - Mt 5:17-18
            1) One "jot" or "tittle" would not pass from the law until
               it was fulfilled
            2) If the priesthood has changed, then it must have been
               fulfilled and done away!
         c. Paul described how Jesus abolished it in His death on the 
            cross
            1) To the Ephesians - Ep 2:14-16
            2) To the Colossians - Col 2:14-16

[This significance of Christ's priesthood has powerful implications. 
With the Law annulled, it is folly to seek justification by the Law 
(cf. Ga 5:4); it also explains why we should not go to the Old Law to
find our authority for the work, worship, and organization of the 
church!

Finally, there is that significance of Christ's priesthood which should
be most precious to us...]

III. THERE IS NOW A BETTER HOPE (19)

   A. THROUGH WHICH WE CAN DRAW NEAR TO GOD...
      1. As seen earlier, the Levitical priesthood did not offer 
         "perfection"
         a. Its sacrifices could not make one "perfect" regarding:
            1) Consciousness of sins, for sacrifices were "year by 
               year" - He 10:1-3
            2) Actual forgiveness of sins, for "it is not possible 
               that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins"
               - He 10:4
         b. Thus the Law, because of its "weakness and 
            unprofitableness", "made nothing perfect" - He 7:18-19
      2. But now we have in Christ "a better hope"
         a. Here we find the keyword of this epistle:  "better"
            1) First used in comparing Jesus to angels - He 1:4
            2) Used later in contrasting the new covenant and its 
               promises with the old covenant - He 7:22; 8:6
         b. Our hope in drawing near to God is now "better" than 
            before!

   B. CHRIST'S SUPERIOR PRIESTHOOD IS THE BASIS OF THAT HOPE...
      1. Because Jesus is "a priest forever according to the order of 
         Melchizedek", our hope for drawing near to God is much 
         better:
         a. As we've seen, Melchizedek is superior to Abraham and Levi
         b. Therefore his priesthood is superior to the Levitical
            priesthood
         -- Making Jesus' own priesthood superior
      2. More evidence of superiority will be considered shortly (cf. 
         He 7:24-28), but for now note again how the greatness of 
         Jesus' priesthood should strengthen our hope in drawing near 
         to God:
         a. Our High Priest has "passed through the heavens" - He 4:14
         b. Our High Priest can "sympathize with our weaknesses"
            - He 4:15
         c. Our High Priest makes it possible to "come boldly to the
            throne of grace" and "obtain mercy and find grace to help
            in time of need" - He 4:16
      -- Can we see how His service as our High Priest provides "a
         better hope, through which we draw near to God"?

CONCLUSION

1. More is yet to come regarding Christ's Priesthood, but perhaps we 
   can appreciate how...
   a. The Levitical priesthood does not provide what man really needs
      (access to God)
   b. There has been a change in the Law; indeed, it has been replaced
      with a new covenant
   c. In Jesus, our hope in drawing near to God is much better than 
      ever before!

2. In view of such things...
   a. Why would the Hebrew Christians ever want to leave Jesus and 
      return to the Law?
   b. Why would people today seek to use the Law to justify religious 
      practices, as many do when they turn to the Old Testament to 
      establish authority for such things as a separate priesthood 
      (clergy), burning of incense, or even instrumental music?

Jesus is the only way to God (cf. Jn 14:6).  Are you willing to come 
to the Father through Him?  Let us be sure to serve God through Him 
only! - cf. Ga 5:4-6

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Gary.... I wonder, I wonder...

My granddaughter, Elizabeth, sent me this picture of one of their dogs (I forget which one this is..) some time ago and I kept it because of the look of wondering on its face. Today, as I look at my computer screen and think about recent events in the Ukraine, I too, wonder. Will it lead to a war? What about all those nuclear bombers recently assembled by Russia. And those Emergency Action Messages to our ships in the area? I wonder, and wonder some more...  And then there is the prophet Habakkuk...

Habakkuk, Chapter 1

1 The oracle which Habakkuk the prophet saw.  2 Yahweh, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you “Violence!” and will you not save?  3 Why do you show me iniquity, and look at perversity? For destruction and violence are before me. There is strife, and contention rises up.  4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails; for the wicked surround the righteous; therefore justice comes out perverted. 

  5  “Look among the nations, watch, and wonder marvelously; for I am working a work in your days, which you will not believe though it is told you.

God works at both the individual and national level.  He established and removes nations. Habakkuk is the prophet - not me, so I can't tell you what is going to happen in the Ukraine.  This I do know, because I see it; the world seems to be changing very rapidly - and not for the better!!!  But, eventually, what God wants to happen, will happen.  It is not wrong to wonder and for that matter, ask God WHY THERE IS SO MUCH EVIL OUT THERE, but we must remember verse five above and have faith.  Even if the absolute worst happens, well, there is always heaven. And if you have to wonder about going there, perhaps you should use your time wisely and investigate what you have to do to get there? I wonder, I wonder - what will you DO....???

From Gary... Understand, be understood, be blessed!!!

Every human being I have ever met is unique. Different appearance, demeanor, capabilities, intelligence, etc.. And I find it what this child has to say very interesting. As far as he is concerned physically experienced understanding is all there REALLY is!!!  Study and feeling are subordinate systems of understanding to him. Someday, he will grow up and know things intuitively and also by intense study- and that is a very good thing.  As I was thinking about this, I remember the following Scripture and make no mistake- IT IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!...

Matthew, Chapter 7

21  Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.   22  Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’   23  Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ 

To be known by God for the things you do and to be held in high enough regard to be allowed to enter the heavenly realms for fellowship with the Almighty; NOW, THERE IS A CONCEPT THAT I CAN WARM UP TO VERY, VERY, QUICKLY!!!!  Understand what God wants for you- to be right and to do right!!!  Follow His word with mental appreciation and feeling and do what HE wants you to do with a good attitude and you will be glad you did!!!!  Then, there is this "Jesus thing". This thing where you actually have to obey someone (Jesus) without being forced to. It begins by understanding who he is and what he wants you to do (Matt. 16:16-18; Matt. 28:18-20; Rev. 2:10) and keep on doing it!!!!  I promise you- it won't leave a bad taste in your mouth--- EVER!!!!