that came with “no agenda” and no expectation of anything in return. And the impact has been profound. Despite the difficulty of speaking out about his friends, Simpson said it’s important, as he knows Bob and Lori loved the Lord and would want others to know the truth. “I know, based on the fruit that they had in their life and the profession from themselves, that they have a relationship with Christ,” he said. “They have a love for the Gospel. … I know I will see my friends again.” Simpson also reiterated a past conversation he had with Bob about the importance of keeping an eternal perspective. Bob spoke about people who have a fear of losing material things. “He [said], ‘They have no idea the peace that is found when you know that none of it belongs to you,'” he recalled. “We’re here for a short amount of time, and eternity is what matters. That’s what Bob would tell me.” He continued, “And I know that that’s what he would want the world to know. It’s like true peace and hope can be found in a relationship with Christ, and you are here today and can be gone tomorrow — and eternity is what matters.” u Permission Granted Christian Broadcasting Network I give themeternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:28 16 GLAD TIDINGS APRIL 2025 It will free us from a sense of guilt and unworthiness (Rom. 8:1). It will free us from the frustration of struggling to be accepted by God (Ephesians 1:6). It will free us from the fear of the consequences of sin that are in the world (Romans 5:9; Isaiah 54:14). It will produce a sense of peace and security in our relationship with God and man (Romans 8:31; Isaiah 32:17). It will cause our whole being to swing over into harmony with God (Rom. 1:16, 5:1). It frees us from oppression and fear (Isaiah 54:14; Genesis 3:9,10). It frees us from a sense of inadequacy (1 Corinthians 1:30). Here are three things to remember about righteousness: It is a free gift. You can't earn it or buy it (Romans 5:17). Righteousness deals with the sin problem (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:19). It is the divine nature of God and a spiritual force (Romans 8:10; Romans 6:18). Even if we know some things about righteousness, we must confess and meditate on the scriptures. As our minds are renewed, we will receive more revelation that we are God's righteousness, which will free us from sin consciousness. You will also see amazing results in your prayer life (James 5:16). Your life will grow brighter, "The way of the righteous is like morning light that gets brighter and brighter till it is full day," Proverbs 4:18 (CEB). u Permission Granted MARK HANKINS MINISTRIES P. O. BOX 12863, ALEXANDRIA, LA 71315 318-767-2001 MARK HANKINS - con’t ... using them to overcome our own weaknesses, and grow into the best versions of ourselves. As Jesus teaches, we must first remove the plank from our own eye before we can help remove the speck from our brother's eye (Matthew 7:5). Understanding that our spouse may not be ready to receive the love we offer helps manage our expectations. True love, as Paul reminds us, is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). We are called to love deeply, sacrificially, and consistently, even when our spouse does not fully embrace that love. It's easy to get caught up in the desire to feel loved, but true love is a choice; it's a decision to give without expectation, to serve without condition, and to remain committed regardless of the response. HEAVEN’S GARDEN - con’t ... will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” I know the Lord is discussing “evil men” but is He laying a premise for deceivers being easier to deceive? I do not know, but it seems logical to me. Look at Ephesians 4:22, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” For understanding, lust is anything we long for which is forbidden by God. That may simply be our longing for a materialistic object to which God says, “No.” Our former self wanted a lot of forbidden things. Our carnal self is deceitful. We already learned our heart is deceitful, and we are not even able to know all it’s deceits. So, my prayer has become, “Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, [and] from a deceitful tongue.” In the past, whenever I read this verse in Psalm 120:2, I considered it being David’s prayer to deliver him from people who lied about him. It may. Now, I also consider it may be David’s prayer to be delivered from his own lying lips. After all, he lived a hidden covered up life with Bathsheba until the prophet confronted him. David knew how to operate in deceit. In closing, I ask you to reread the transliteration of deceit, and then ask yourself if you can say as Christ did that deceit is not found in your mouth? Then consider this thought…CAN WE REMAIN FAITHFUL TO GOD WITH DECEIT IN OUR LIVES? u SIGNS OF LIFE - Con’t ETERNITY - Con’t CONNECTIONS - Con’t four types of people, ask yourself which one of these is you for someone else. Are you a visionary, lifting others' eyes to God's greater purposes? Are you a dreamer, helping others rediscover hope? Are you a strongman, carrying those who are weary? Are you a lover, offering unconditional love in the darkest moments? God has positioned each of us to play a vital role in someone else's life. Just as the paralytic man needed his friends, there are people in your life who need you. Be intentional about the relationships you cultivate and the role you play in pointing others to Christ. When we walk together in godly relationships, carrying one another toward Jesus, miracles happen. Be the kind of friend who sticks closer than a brother. Be someone's visionary, dreamer, strongman, or lover. It's what we're called to do, and it's how we reflect the love of Christ to a world in need. u Permission Granted/Elijah List Ryan Johnson Ministries Email: info@ryanjohnson.us Website: www.ryanjohnson.us Every act of love we share has eternal significance. Choose to love with purpose, patience, and faith, trusting that your love eternal in nature. I cannot claim there is a literal Garden of Love in Heaven, though it's possible the Garden of Eden was meant to mirror it. One thing I know for sure is that everything we do out of love, whether for our spouse, children, neighbors, or especially for God, is eternal in nature and always worth the effort. "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13) u Permission Granted/Elijah List Pierre Goulart, Founder Jubilee Sounds Email:JubileeSounds@proton.me Website: JubileeSounds.com
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