INTRODUCTION: A. Bible Readings: 1. Romans 15:4 – “For whatever was written before was written for our
instruction, so that through our endurance and through the encouragement
of the Scriptures we may have hope.” 2. 1 Corinthians 10:6 – “Now these things became examples for us, so that
we will not desire evil as they did.” 3. Read: 2 Kings 6:8-17
a. v. 17 – “Then Elisha prayed, Lord, Please open his eyes and let him see
. . .”
b. v. 16 – “For those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.”
c. The difference between Elisha and his servant was a difference between
FAITH and SIGHT. 4. 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
a. This statement is found in Paul’s context of talking about a Christian’s
future after death . . . And what a wonderful future that will be.
b. Being assured of that now, we can have the assurance to walk securely
through the problems and difficulties of this life. 5. Definition of terms:
a. “We” – God’s faithful people – Christians – the church, etc.
b. “Walk” – to pursue a course of action or way of life . . . How one moves
along during the course of his life.”
c. “Faith” – Believing and trusting God . . . Following His way and will
daily.
d. “Sight” – Trusting in self and what can be perceived with the human
senses.
B. What does walking by faith involve? WALKING BY FAITH INVOLVES A CHANGE. A. A change in self. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there
is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things .”
1. We call this:
a. Conversion
b. Becoming a Christian
c. Obeying the Gospel
2. Christians are brand new people on the inside . . . And the inside controls
the outside.
FAITH: “Walking By Faith . . . Not Sight” 2
3. At the time of conversion, one does not merely turn over a new leaf . . . He
begins a new life under a new Master.
4. He forfeits an old destiny (Hell) and gains a new destiny (Heaven)
B. Three basic changes must occur in Scriptural conversion:
1. The HEART (affection) must be changed from the love of sin to the love
of God.
2. The LIFE (conduct) of a person must be changed from sin to
righteousness.
3. The STATE (relationship) of man must be changed from the realm of
Satan’s rule to the realm of God’s kingdom.
C. How is this done? . . . Through obeying the Gospel of Christ!
1. Hearing the gospel – Brings faith and faith changes the heart.
2. Believing the Gospel – Leads to repentance.
3. Repentance of sins – Changes life.
4. Confession of Christ – Changes one’s allegiance.
5. Baptism for the remission of sins – Changes one’s state or relationship.
a. He is not guilty anymore.
b. He is not lost anymore.
c. He is saved from his past sins.
d. He is added to the Lord’s church by the Lord Himself. Acts 2:47
D. Roman 10:17 – “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God.”
WALKING BY FAITH INVOLVES KNOWING . . . BELIEVING
AND OBEYING THE RIGHT THINGS.
A. Proverbs 14:12 – “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the
way of death.”
1. The path that seems right may offer many options and require few
sacrifices.
2. Easy choices should make us take a second look.
3. The right choice often requires hard work and self-sacrifice.
4. Don’t be enticed by apparent shortcuts that seem right and popular but are
not to be found in the pages of God’s Holy Word . . . The Bible.
B. Obeying the right Book.
a. Not the writings of men . . . But the Bible. The mind of God in print.
b. Many human creeds . . . One Bible!
C. Obeying the right doctrine.
1. Matthew 15:9 – “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the
commandments of men.”
FAITH: “Walking By Faith . . . Not Sight” 3
2. 1 Timothy 4:1- “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will
depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of
demons.”
3. 2 John 9 – “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of
Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both
the Father and the Son.”
4. 1 Timothy 4:6 – “If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a
good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and of the
good doctrine that you have followed.”
D. Worshiping in the right way.
WALKING BY FAITH INVOLVES MAINTAINING FOCUS.
A. Read: Matthew 14:22-33
1. So long as Peter was focused on Jesus, he was successfully walking on
the waters of the Sea of Galilee.
2. But when he began to focus on the winds and the waves, he began to sink.
3. What happened? He changed his focus . . . He lost His focus. His faith
wavered when he realized what he was doing.
4. We will not be walking on water, but we may walk through tough situations
in our Christian sojourn here.
a. If we focus on the waves of difficult circumstances around us and take
our eyes off of the One Whom we serve, we, too, may begin to despair
and sink.
b. In order to maintain your faith when situations are difficult, focus on the
power of God rather than your own inadequacies.
c. Hebrews 13:5 – “For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor
forsake you."
5. Although we start out with good intentions, sometimes our faith falters.
a. This doesn’t mean we have failed.
b. When Peter’s faith faltered, he reached out to Christ, the only One who
could help.
1. He could have reached out to the boat . . . But it was too late to help.
2. He could have reached out to the eleven . . . But they could not help.
c. Although he was afraid, he still looked to Christ . . . And Christ reached
out to help him overcome his situation.
d. When you grow apprehensive about the troubles around you and begin
to doubt your ability to see it through . . . Reach out to the Father who
loved you so much that He gave His own Son to die for you.
B. Do Not . . .
1. Do not take your eyes off of God . . . There is not another.
2. Do not take your eyes off of the Bible . . . It is the only Book God has given.
3. Do not take your eyes off of the Gospel . . . It is God’s power to salvation.
FAITH: “Walking By Faith . . . Not Sight” 4
Romans 1:16
4. Do not take your eyes off of the Church . . . All the saved are in it.
5. Do not take your eye off of Worship . . . Our God must be worshipped.
6. Do not take your eyes off of faithfulness . . . The devil will lead you astray.
7. Do not take your eyes off of truth . . . Only it can make us free. John 8:32
8. Do not take your eye off of Heaven . . . It is the finish line for the race we
are running.
9. Do not lose your focus . . . Keep your focus on the One who said, “I am the
way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6
C. Do not ever loose your focus as a Christian.
1. The winds and waves of a religiously divided world will distract confuse
you.
2. The winds and waves of man-made churches will distract and confuse you.
3. The winds and waves of human creeds and man-written religious doctrines
will distract and confuse you.
4. The winds and waves of self-proclaimed religious leaders will distract and
confuse you.
5. The winds and waves of Satan’s efforts to reclaim your soul will distract
and confuse you.
6. The winds and waves of large numbers believing and teach certain things
will distract and confuse you.
7. The winds and waves of discouragement and disappointments will distract
and confuse you.
D. Keep your eyes and faith focused on Your Heavenly Father.
CONCLUSION:
A. Walking by faith:
1. Involves a change.
2. Involves knowing, believing, and following the right things.
3. Involves maintaining focus.
B. Are you walking by sight? . . . Or, are you walking by faith. Faith honors God
. . . And God honors faith!
C. Illustration: One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee
to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms,
calling to his son, "Jump! I'll catch you." He knew the boy had to jump to save
his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As
can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling:
"Jump! I will catch you." But the boy protested, "Daddy, I can't see you." The
father replied, "But I can see you and that's all that matters." God can see
you . . . And that is all that matters. Have faith to do what is right!
C. God’s Plan for Man’s Salvation.
May the Holy Spirit reveal the mind of God to you through this study that you walk henceforth in Faith and not by sight in Jesus name.
Topic: That I May Know Him
Text: Philippians 3:10
"...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death..."
Ours should be the hunger and desire to know more about Christ!
They're some people in your life that when you got to know them, your life never remained the same! And the more you have had them in your life, the more blessed you have been!
Do you know JESUS? How much do you know about Him?
The context of knowing Jesus here is about relationship! A relationship that is functional and up to date!
The context also connotes more insight and understanding of Who Christ is, in such a way that you are inspired and touched in a PERSONAL way to live and lead a life that will please God!
The more you desire and hunger to know more about Christ in a personal way, the more of Him you will know in such a manner that your life and conduct will be affected in a positive way transcending into eternity!
The Devil is okay with you pursuing other concourse but this! The search for more of Christ is a quest for truth and life, the devil represents the opposite of that!
So, you are going to decide whom you want to please with your life, the devil or Christ!
Prayer focus: Father, give me the desire and hunger to seek and know more of Christ.
Mike Odeh.
In this season and times, what we should emphasize on and practice as ambassadors of Christ is HOLINESS!
Scripture remains TRUE, regardless of times and seasons!
"... and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
There's no exception based on the above scriptures! You cannot see the Lord without HOLINESS regardless of who you are!
2 Timothy 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (KJV)
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (NIV)
This short article hopes to address those who want to avoid the path that leads to sinful addiction. Addiction doesn’t just come on a man, it is most times a result of a buildup of activities. A man addicted to alcoholism may actually never have had any history as a consumer of alcohol.
It may have started with just a little sip, his body then desires the sooth that came with his first sip. Then he goes for another sip maybe this time he goes for just a cup. Then he graduates to a bottle then bottles.
The Lord knows this part of our human tendencies so He gave believers a Spirit which gives self-discipline. It has to be ‘self-discipline’ because no one can really monitor your thoughts from your mind. However, the Spirit of God dwells in your heart to help you administer self-discipline; to monitor the promptings in your heart.
The last defense such a man has is self-discipline. He may fall to temptation for the first time without much thought but self discipline would save him from repeating the sinful event. A man without discipline is prone to falling over and over again to sin and even addiction but praise God we are not without help. The Holy Spirit gives us the strength to be disciplined if we pray to God in consciousness of this help and lean on him in obedience to His promptings.
A life of purity is possible else God would not have asked us to be pure; He is a just God. When we lean on God for self discipline, we would not find ourselves falling to certain sinful acts.
I came across a guy yesterday while picking up groceries for my family!
Approached me in the middle of the store, and asked for my audience to share something important quickly! He came across as someone wanting to share the gospel of Christ and I was excited at the boldness of a "fellow Believer " to share the gospel of Christ in the middle of the store!
And then he asked me if I have heard about "mother god" and refered me to the book of revelation, where scripture says, " The Spirit and the bride..."
And he went on to say, the Bible is talking about salvation through someone else..."
I was like in my mind, "holy molly" what is this guy talking about!
And I said to him have you read John 14:6, " Jesus said to him, I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME." Done, case closed.
He now switched to the day of fellowship, it should be Saturday not Sunday. And I said I don't really care much about the day of the week Believers agree to congregate and fellowship, the emphasis should be on the IMPORTANCE AND RELEVANCE of "...Believers not despising the assembly of Brethren. " Referring him to Hebrews 10:25
Well, after failing to convince me on that, he abruptly ended his attempt on securing my salvation through "mother god."
My take away from that "encounter."
1. Interesting times we live in! Salvation is not complicated, neither is God and the provision He has made for our salvation. He has made the provision why fabricate another? BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died in your place to show you the depth of God's love for you and you will be Saved. How complicated is that?
2. Know God for yourself, otherwise, you can be easily decieved in the times we live in!
That someone is quoting scriptures does not make them or their message legit. Test all spirits. Even Satan quoted from the Bible. People have quoted Songs of Solomon from the Bible in attempt to lure sisters into moral sins: namely fornication or adultery.
How about some "preacher" approaching a lady and saying the "holy spirit " said we should engage in sexual sin. Interesting times people! Guard your Soul!
How could God have asked Abraham to sacrifice his ONLY SON; ISAAC after all the years of waiting and the challenges he passed through? Abraham even compromised and layed with Hagar just to please Sarai and now God wants him to give Isaac back as a burnt offering. Could this be GOD? You may be wondering, YES it was GOD, the OMINIKNOW. God requested for the ONLY SON of Abraham, the Promised Son, the heir apparent to the throne. God was seeing beyond ISAAC AND ABRAHAM, He was envisioning JESUS the ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF THE FATHER being SACRIFICED, SLAYED for the REMISSION OF SIN and REDEMPTION. God so LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON...Abraham so loved God that he also offered to sacrifice his only beloved son. And it was recorded that God spoke to him from heaven saying :Now I know you love me...for this you have done in blessing I will bless thee. A voice from heaven also spoke about Jesus saying this is my BELOVED SON in whom I am well pleased, hear ye Him....The BIG IDEA is that God was REHEARSING, TEST RUNING in the old Testament HIS BIG TIME VISION FOR MANKIND in the new Testament...VISION IS THE FORCE OF GOD (DIVINITY) THROUGH HUMANITY...I AM CALEB STOBER EDEH, GOD LOVES YOU AND I CARE ABOUT YOU...
....SEE BEYOND THE NOW...
#Developthatidea#
MARRIAGE ON PURPOSE
God does nothing without a reason, His intentions are visibly seen in His ART AND ACT, HIS DOINGS. God is not aimless or prey conscious like the devil who is always in search of victims to devour . God is intentional. His intentions are DIVINE i.e It is not natural , manly or human. The Divinity of God is expressed in the mystery of His creation from the beginning of the heavens and the earth. The phenomenal expression of Divinity in humanity- His image.
NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
DIVINITY:
(a) Anything that is not human but God ochestrated is Divine. It means it's beyond human ability and capability.
(b) To say a thing is DIVINE means that God is the source not man.
(c) Divinity is programmed to intervene for humanity.
(d) Divinity is God's agenda for humanity in displaying the supernaturality of God over nature and man.
PURPOSE:
(a) This is the RIGHTFUL intentions for a thing.
(b) Purpose is the ORIGINAL VISION, AMBITIONS, MINDSET AND HEART CONFIGURATION towards realising a thing.
(c) Purpose is the reason for a thing while Divinity offer us the strategies to accomplishing and actualizing it under God.
MARRIAGE:
Marriage is the coming together of a male and female in God to become one under Him.
Please note the components: Male (Man) and Female ( Woman), so any union that involves man and man, man and animal, woman and woman etc is not seen to be marriage by God. The only marriage that will ever be acceptable by God is the marriage of a man and woman with God involved .
GOD IS THE INITIATOR
And God said , it is not good that the man should be alone, I will make him an help meet for him
Genesis 2:18 KJV
Then the Lord God said , " it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."
(The Living Translation)
"God said it's not good for the man to be alone, I'll make him a helper , a companion. "
(The Message Bible)
" Now the Lord said it is not good ( Sufficient, Satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet( Suitable, adapted, complementary) for him."
Amplified Bible
From the above scriptures, we can deduce that God is the ORIGINATOR, INITIATOR AND CONVENER of Marriage. Man is just an instrument, a vessel he uses in actualizing the marriage plan.
I won't be wrong to say that man is the RESOURCE but God is the SOURCE. Permit me to also say that the CREATED can not be greater, wiser and more powerful than the CREATOR. The created or creature is LIMITED, has limitations but the CREATOR is LIMITLESS. Since God is the ORIGINATOR and INITIATOR of Marriage, it therefore means that what man needs to EFFECIENTLY and EFFECTIVELY in the Ministry of marriage is to know - have a cordial relationship with God so he can understand the purpose - His intentions and follow- His Divine strategies so as not to abuse it's purpose.
Yes you can find a wife, you can also prayerfully decide to raise godly seeds but without following the precepts of God, you may never achieve a successful marriage especially when the challenges that comes with the MYSTERY OF LEAVING AND CLEAVING hits you. Know it today that God is the SOURCE , you are HIS RESOURCE. Follow God's MANUAL, the standard of operations if you must have a happy and fulfilled marriage .
REASONS FOR MARRIAGE;
For any thing to succeed we must first of all understand from the manufacturer what he had in mind while making it . It is often said that when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable.
To know and understand a thing ,you must study it well. In studying it we must be made to know its importance, this will help and stir the passion to seek for more.
God's Intentions, purposes and reasons for marriage is for companionship and fellowship. God TREASURES man to the extent that all he had in mind for man was to live life to the fullest. God saw the need to make man feel His goodness hence, he said it is not good for man to be alone. As a matter of fact, man had no idea he was alone. Man had no slightest intention of doing anything about his future because he knows nothing about the future, but while man was just there merely existing and having good time with the animals in the garden, God was planning ahead on his behalf.
Man needs to understand the sacrifice God had made for his sake and make every effort to ALIGN with the PURPOSE of God for him in marriage.
In different translations ,we saw that God described what his intentions for man in form of a wife are ;
A HELPER, HELP MEET, COMPANION, SUITABLE, ADAPTED AND COMPLEMENTARY. With these we can see that God meant well for man, his intentions were right. For man to understand the depth of God's love and intentions for him in marriage, he needs to maintain a cordial relationship with God who is the CREATOR, MAKER and SOURCE of marriage.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in who they have never heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
Romans 10:14
It is our responsibility to know God personally and preach Jesus everywhere, anywhere and every other possible means. In doing this, men will get to know Him and establish relationship with Him and this can translate to blissful marriages. I pray that the Lord will give us the grace to stand faithful till Jesus comes. God bless you.
Caleb Stober Edeh
Ever since I became born again, Jesus has manifested himself to me in divers ways, but I will only write about Him as MY PRINCE OF PEACE.
My life, I can say is a manifestation of JESUS AS THE PRINCE OF PEACE. Jew few years into my marriage, after the birth of my second child, the devil came with the intention to cease the love and peace in my home. At that time, my husband and I were working in the same organisation and he was framed and accused of an act that was never true. it looked so real and believable to mortal men; it was something that was capable of destroying any marriage that is not founded by God and the expectation of colleagues was that I will leave my marriage, my home, my job and most especially my God. But they never knew that my PRINCE OF PEACE is around the corner calming the storm.
My husband came home that evening, to explain to me all that had happened and I told him 'is that all?' he said yes and further told my that his direct boss will like to speak to me. I asked him, 'on this matter?' he said yes. We were staying in one of the two bed room apartments in the staff quarters and his boss also stays in another apartment in the staff quarters. My kids were already asleep, so we left them and went to see his boss.
The boss narrated all that had happened just like my husband told me and he waited to see and hear my response. I appreciated him for calling me and I told him, 'may God give you all the wisdom to handle the matter'. I could feel and see his shock and surprise at my response.
Back home, my husband was restless and worried that I was not saying anything. I told him there was nothing to say, we prayed and I told him, please come and sleep, there is nothing to be worried about. I didn't know when he slept because me I slept like a baby.
The next day I went to the office and even the class to lecture, I could feel all eyes on my; i could feel their thought and expectation dashed. My husband was also in his office, I kept sending text of encouragement to him. I went to his office after my lecture to make sure he was very okay. Even when the final resolution of the panel according to them, because there was no proper investigation or panel set up, imagine in less that two (2) of investigation, they already came out with their resolution. We were asked to vacate the staff quarters in less than 48hours, my husband was released of his job but they couldn't sack me or ask me to resign because it will become too obvious that it was a set up. In all of these, JESUS IS STILL MY PRINCE OF PEACE. My Jesus worked for us a far weight of glory.
God directed my husband to a two bed room flat in town, we went to see the place, paid for it, cleaned it, got a lorry to park our things and we moved out that same day. God is faithful! Our marriage got sweeter, bigger and better after the incidence. Today, the same people who mocked, conspired and laughed at us are running to our feet. Take all the glory LORD.
Again, few year after the birth of my third child, I discovered I was pregnant again. One morning, after dressing my kids for school and they left, I felt tired and decided to rest. I slept off and when I woke up, I made attempt to stand up only to see blood coming out from me, I reached out to my phone called my husband, who came and took me to the hospital. I was treated, my child was stable, admitted for two (2) days and the blood stopped. the doctor placed me on bed rest for a month, after which I should return for checkup.
I couldn't do anything at home, we were forced to employ a nanny, something we never wanted most especially at this stage of our children's life. I was not comfortable because I was used to doing thing myself. Few weeks later, I started having contraction, I told my husband this is not normal, the pregnancy was just four months old. We went to the hospital, the doctor did all he could but the contraction kept reoccurring and became more sever and painful as if I in labour. I cried out to my FATHER, I told HIM, Father take away this pain and give me peace and He told me 'my child, it is the best I will do for you'. Shortly, the fetus passed out, my PRINCE OF PEACE came and gave me peace again.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is peace personified, you have Him, your peace know no bounds. Embrace the PRINCE OF PEACE today and you will so glad you did. God bless you.
Blessings!
A ROYAL DIADEM: 'you will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem in the land of your God. No longer will they call you deserted, or name your land desolate. But you will be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah, for the Lord will take delight in you and your land will be married'. Isaiah 62:3-4
FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE: 'For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. i will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well'. Psalm 139:13-14
A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD: 'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light'. 2 Peter 2:9
HIDDEN WITH CHRIST IN GOD: 'For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God'. Colossians 3:3
A CHILD OF GOD: ' Yet to all who received, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God'. John 1:12
A FRIEND OF GOD: 'I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, For everything that I learnt from the Father I have made known to you'. John 15:15
ONE IN CHRIST: 'There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus'. Galatians 3:28
NO LONG SLAVE TO SIN: 'For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slave to sin-because anyone who has died has been freed from sin'. Romans 6:6-7
A CITIZEN OF HEAVEN: 'But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ'. Philippians 3:20
SEATED IN HEAVENLY REALMS: 'And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in heavenly realms in Christ Jesus'. Ephesians 2:6
TAKING HEED
We currently live in a world where moral and righteous standards are practically on a steady decline. It is more worrisome that certain believers have compromised their faith to the extent that they appear more like the ‘world’ they were called out from. They esteem the pleasures of compromise under pressure above their convictions.
Many of these believers do not really understand the repercussions of their actions. They do not know that by denying the power of godliness whose form they have; they take many others far away from salvation.
Apostle Paul’s first letter to Timothy has a verse which should help us gird our loins and take godly living more seriously.
1Timothy 4:16 “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (KJV)
This message was initially for Timothy but by the will of God it has become a message to all the saints. To take heed to oneself is to watch how one conducts himself or herself in conversation, actions, decisions and transactions. We are instructed just like Timothy to watch these things especially in relating with people.
The Apostle also brought to light another area where believers must take heed; in teaching. You may say, “but I am not a preacher or pastor?” but by the implication of living life, one is a teacher.
You teach by communicating ideologies through conversations and conducts during your normal daily activity. Take heed, that though you are a confessing Christian, what your life teaches are not ideologies contrary to the principles of God’s kingdom.
Now this is the crux of taking heed to yourself and to your teachings.
You will be able to save yourself and those that hear you; you will be able to save those that come in contact with you. Just a meeting with you pushes men and women closer to Jesus Christ.
This means that if you do not take heed to these things, you will lead yourself and those that have contact with you to destruction.
We are the light of this world, in the plan of God we should be examples for the world. Isn’t it terrible if we who should be the light, shining for others to see now become darkness like the people of the world?
By taking heed to our conducts and conversations in holiness and godliness through the help of the Holy Spirit, we would preserve our faith while we draw others to our faith or help others preserve their faith.
May God help us to take heed!