According to the counsel of His Own will for His Own glory-

it was not -natural beauty- that He beheld in her, but her face or her -cheeks adorned with jewels-- her neck adorned with chains of gold- - What are we to understand in what He saw in His bride but the -church adorned- with grace from Christ- What are we without His grace- - What the Lord Jesus Christ SEES in His church, which is so beautiful and comely is what He has adorned her with and lavished upon her- There is nothing beautiful-naturally comely in any of us-

God INTENDS to USE YOU Christian as an instrument of -comfort and encouragement to other Christians- -In the troubles and sufferings of your Christian life, GOD IS-separating you from this world and from your besetting sins,-and He is conforming you to the image of Christ- Don't ever -forget, child of God, you are not of the world, you no longer -serve the god of this world, but you are a servant of Christ-and His Kingdom, YOU ARE of that otherworld, that upper world, -that heavenly and eternal world-

Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ- Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers- 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father- 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance- as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost- 7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia..Preached at-Hillburn Drive Grace Baptist Church Bible conference 2020 San Antonio TX

This truth, beloved should edifying to us as believers as we make-our pilgrimage through this present world.-This should be food to your faith- it should strengthen you in-the inner man, solidify your faith in Christ, knowing that-your end will be better than your beginning--If you're a believer, God is conforming you to the image-of Christ, how can the end for you NOT be better--But our problem -SO OFTEN- is, we focus on the beginning of a-thing- All we see are our troubles, difficulties, and messy-circumstances when they happen, and like faithless people,-instead of looking to Christ by faith, we focus instead on-things, which ARE SEEN, when we should be looking by faith to-things which are NOT seen- 2 Corinthians 4-17-18, 5-7-What we OUGHT to see, -by faith- as God's people, is God doing-His work in our lives, training and disciplining and-fashioning us for heaven-....Preached at-Hillburn Drive Grace Baptist Church Bible conference 2020 San Antonio TX

Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. -For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently- but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. -For even hereunto were ye called- because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps- -Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth- -Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again- when he suffered, he threatened not- but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously- -Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness- by whose stripes ye were healed. -For ye were as sheep going astray- but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

..unquestionably, no one will ever be a good pastor, unless he shews himself to be a father to the Church that is committed to him. Nor does he merely declare himself to be such to the entire body, but even to the individual members. For it is not enough that a pastor in the pulpit teach all in common, if he does not add also particular instruction, according as necessity requires, or occasion offers..Preached at--Hillburn Drive Grace Baptist Church Bible conference 2020 San Antonio TX

Beloved of God- iniquity is abounding in the world- I don't think anyone will deny that- but is it having a chilling effect on your love to Christ- Is your love to Christ waxing cold because the world has become so sinful- And now this abounding iniquity has infected you- Made you grow cold- Distanced you from intimacy with Christ-- Where is your love to Christ in the midst of this troublous time of abounding iniquity---Are you tolerating sin-.. Do you now accept things that used to be abhorrent to you-... Are we being infected with the sin of the world-...--This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.-- For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,-- Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,--Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God--- Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof- from such turn away...Preached at-Hillburn Drive Grace Baptist Church Bible conference 2020 San Antonio TX

Every one of us naturally desire happiness- but none know TRUE happiness, here called blessedness apart from knowing God in the forgiveness of sins. - Happy are the SPIRITUALLY hungry and the thirsty- Those who have a strong DESIRE for that righteousness which comes from God- They CRAVE it- - For in their hunger and thirst for it, they SEEK to be forever freed from sin and wickedness and from this present evil world, and they seek the presence of God.