Saturday, November 21, 2009
Fort Hood muslim terrorist Nidal Malik Hasan calling card had SoA – Soldiers of Allah on it!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Checkpoint Charlie
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (I Corinthians 11:31)
With today being Veteran's Day I thought it would be appropriate to have a lesson relating to the military. I would like to take this time to thank all of the men and women who have and are serving our country. I don't believe we say thank you enough for what you have done or what you do so that we can go to bed at night and rest assure that we will be safe from enemy attacks during the night.
Checkpoint Charlie was the name given by the Western Allies to a crossing point between East and West Berlin during the Cold War. There were other crossing points, but Charlie was designated as the single crossing point for all members of the Allied forces. Escapes, standoffs, and the murder of one teenage boy in particular made this checkpoint infamous.
Passing through Checkpoint Charlie was no easy task. Everyone and everything had to be checked. Anyone who had any sense who was planning to go through would complete their own checklist to make sure everything was in order. Lost or stolen credentials could be disastrous. If you approached the gate, you would be allowed through or be arrested on the spot pending an investigation. So identification was kept secure and double checked repeatedly.
We have a rather big "checkpoint" at the end of life that we need to be ready for too. Are your credentials in order? Is your birth certificate as a child of the King in your possession? Okay, so you are a Christian. How will you look as you approach the final checkpoint? Will you appear like you obviously live on the other side, or will you look suspicious? Language, dress, and mannerisms can give away anyone who is attempting an illegal entry. I seem to remember a story of five virgins who couldn't get through their "checkpoint" simply for the lack of oil.
"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in faith;... (II Cor. 13:5a)
The Real Visitors
I recently watched the new ABC TV series "V" with much curiosity on how they would make a show that seems like it will be a six episode wonder into a good hit that may have many to follow. With all the commercials and money they have pumped into advertisement over the past month and a half, I personally do not think it was all that impressive of an opener. Maybe they should have spent less on advertisement and a little more on the opening episode, but regardless, it has raised my eyebrow and I will watch it and see it through. But as I went to bed I kept thinking to myself about a "Visitor" that will come to this earth and deceive all mankind into following him. Who am I speaking of? The Anti-Christ of course.
At the beginning of the show everyone was just going about their daily routine and then the "Visitors" arrived, at first everyone was scared but then the head alien spoke on that really BIG jumbotron and told everyone that they come in peace and they will not harm anyone, they just want to come and get food and share their technology and they will be on their way. In almost an instant, people were at ease. The Anti-Christ will be almost as deceitful when he shows up on the scene. When everyone is suffering from famine, wars and economic failure he will be accepted by all nations and placed into high authority where he will deceive people into thinking he is there to help when he is in reality going to hurt them. Fortunately for all the believers in Christ, we will not have to be a part of all this, we will already be in Heaven as a result of the rapture.
During the show "Anna", the head alien, was meeting with all the world leaders to introduce peace between their two worlds. The Anti-Christ will do the same and he will set up his rule from Rome in (Rev 13:4) And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
People will worship him and begin to treat him as a god.
- Revelation 17:3, "So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns."
In prophecy, a woman is defined as a church...
- Jeremiah 6:2 says, "I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman."
We also understand the Church of Jesus Christ is considered to be the "Bride of Christ" because of many areas of Scriptures that describe her as such. It is also commonly understood that prophecy defines a beast to be a nation.
- Daniel 7:17, "These great beasts, which are four, are four kings, which shall arise out of the earth."
- Daniel 7:23, "Thus he said, The fourth beast shall be the fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and shall tread it down, and break it in pieces."
Even in today's world, nations are described as beasts? The USA is seen as an eagle. Russia is likened unto a bear, and China even carries the image of a dragon.
Many years ago Daniel was given a great vision about all the nations of the earth till the end of time. In this vision he saw the last beast to be "diverse from all the others." (Daniel 7:19) But how diverse would it be? According to Revelation 17:3 as we have already seen, this beast will have a woman riding it. Since prophecy defines a woman as a church, and a beast as a nation. Is there such an entity described in history? Is there a church and state mixed together as one some place today? Yes there is. Only one place on earth has ever done this. The Vatican of the Roman Catholic church has been established upon this type of union, and is now finalizing plans to use this prophesied church and state structure to obtain global rule in the place of pagan Rome.
Now I do not claim to be a scholar on end times or prophesy, but I study these things out and read a lot of books on it, but when I see a TV show like "V", it makes me believe that Satan is working to prepare the world for his grand entry into bodily form. Because while everyone is accustomed through the use of fascinating TV shows or movies, it will be of no surprise to anyone when it happens for real.
If you want to avoid the end times mayhem, then take a look at my page, "Highway to Heaven" http://bobwil.wordpress.com/highway-to-heaven/
Lord Bless
How To Pray According To Scripture
(1Ti 2:1) I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
We are going to take this verse and go through it very carefully today and see what God says about how we are to pray. Many times in my own prayer life I tend to just go through the routine of praying without doing the steps to which I should be. Sometimes we get in a hurry and we just want to get on with our day and we just say a quick prayer because it is what we are supposed to do. When we finish this lesson today, you will have a better understanding or guideline for your prayer life.
Paul starts out by saying here in this verse, "I exhort therefore", the word exhort comes from the Greek word "parakaleo" which means to call near or invoke. In the King James Version of the Bible, the word, exhort is mentioned 14 times, so it was not a term used loosely in the Bible. He is invoking us or calling us near to pay close attention to what he is about to say, why? Because what Paul is about to say is extremely important and he wants to make sure we understand it. And the next part saying "that, first of all" is not referring to your personal prayer time first thing in the morning; it is referring to every time you pray. This should be our "outline" sort to speak for any prayer we pray even before a meal.
We are going to break down the next part of this verse word by word to better understand the meaning and then we will come up with the outline that Paul is has prepared for us in our prayer life.
- Supplications – From the Greek word "deesis" (deh'-ay-sis), which means a petition. In Webster's Dictionary, "petition" means "a formal message requesting something submitted to an authority". We are to begin our prayer by petitioning God for our needs, whether it is for ourselves or whether it is for someone else and this could be for their body or soul. This could be for food, clothing, finances, discoveries of pardoning love, and supplies of grace, spiritual peace and comfort. When we start our prayer we should be asking God specifically for things we need, and asking him to supply the needs of those that we know are in need of something in their life.
- Prayers – From the Greek word "proseuche" (pros-yoo-khay), which means exactly what it is, prayer; it also means earnest prayer. This one goes a little bit hand in hand with supplications but not to be confused with its meaning. Here we are now expressing to God our wishes or desires from God either of ourselves or others.
- Intercessions – From the Greek word "enteuxis" (ent'-yook-sis), which means an interview. Webster's defines it as a conference with someone with high authority. Wow! That is amazing, we interview with the highest authority in the universe. Here we are intending either complaints exhibited in prayer against others that have done injuries; or prayers put up for others, either for the averting of evil from them, or for the bestowing some good thing on them.
- Giving of Thanks – From the Greek word "eucharistia" (yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah), which means gratitude; actually grateful language to God, as an act of worship, thankfulness, giving of thanks. We are to thank God for all His blessings, mercies, what He has done for us and what He will do for us, whether temporal or spiritual.
- Be made for all men – I am going to focus on two words from this part, "all" from the Greek word "pas" which means anyone, thoroughly or whole. And the word "men" from the Greek word "anthropos" (anth'-ro-pos) which means human being. So, here we see we are to pray for or on behalf of all human beings completely and thoroughly.
Now that we have broken this verse down to better understand its meaning, we can now understand how to pray according to Scripture.
Outline For Prayer:
- Open your prayer time by asking God to supply your needs and the needs of your friends and family. Be specific not general.
- Tell God what you would like to have or what you desire. This could be anything from a new computer to souls to be saved in church this Sunday.
- Tell God that someone has hurt you and you want him to deal with their heart and convict them, or ask God to bless or comfort someone that you know is need of it today.
- Tell God you love Him and just worship Him and thank Him for all He has done for you.
My prayer is that this helps you a little bit in your prayer life; I know it helped mine when I studied this out. So many people have no idea how to pray and they are scared to. Something like this as a guide to go by will be a help.
Lord Bless
Look Forward
(Php 3:13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
(Php 3:14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Do you hate when someone reminds you of things you have done in the past that you're not very proud of? Well it happens to all of us, I have been reminded many times of mistakes and things I had done in my past that I just wish people would forget about. It is never good to spend time dwelling on our past sins, but instead, forgive them and forget, God did. (Isa 44:22) I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. God has promised that He has blotted out our sins, so there is no need to look back but to look forward. Like on a ship, you can't guide a ship from the stern looking to the rear, but guide it from the bow looking forward.
The sky may look dark and dreary with storm clouds all around with people always reminding us of our past, but when we look forward, we have a bright future and a clean slate. God said, "Behold, I make all things new".
When we trust in Christ to be our guide, we can always look to this promise from Him.
(Heb 13:5)
"for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."
I have found that when I am discouraged and beaten down by Satan and the world I begin to praise God and tell Him how much I love Him and it seems that all my worries and discouragement goes away.
Instead of dwelling on your past, look to your future by getting caught up in loving God, He will always love you no matter what.
Lord Bless
Battlefield of the Righteous
The other day I was driving down the road and I heard the song by Jordan Sparks, "Battlefield" come on the radio and I could not write fast enough. Now I would not advise anyone to drive and write at the same time because I nearly ran a couple of red lights and that would have been a bad thing. This song got me thinking about the spiritual battlefield we are on everyday and do we have our Armor on.
(Eph 6:11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
(Eph 6:12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Every day we are attacked by Satan and the worst thing about it is the fact that he disguises himself in many forms to make these attacks. He will disguise himself as a nice party that turns into a bad situation. Sometimes he even will disguise himself as a very righteous Christian that seems to be the most spiritual person in your church, but when the individual is not around other Christians they live their life in total sin that is shameful to the name of Christ.
In this life we are on a spiritual battlefield. The Bible says that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood", we are fighting against the demons and satan's attacks. And the more you serve God and get busy for Him, the devil brings on the attacks even more because the more Christians he can cause to become a K.I.A. the fewer unbelievers will come to know Christ. I Peter 5:8 tells us that the Devil is seeking whom he may devour. I have seen Pastors get attacked by Satan from so-called believers in their churches to the point that he falls to the wayside and that tells us one thing, Satan comes in every form.
So get your armor on! As the song says.
Eph. 6:11 says to put on the whole armor of God, If we are gird up in God's armor, we are protected. If you read through Eph. Chapter 6, you will see what each piece of armor will protect. We need to think of this song when we feel like we are being attacked.
I guess you better go and get your armor
(Get your armor)
Get your armor
I guess you better go and get your armor
(Get your armor)
Get your armor
Self Cleansing
It is so funny how we have become a society to which everything is made easy for us. From filing cabinets to a notebook pc, from payphones to cell phones, from pocket calendars to a pda, from maps to a gps, and from vinyl records to an mp3 player. What is really fascinating about all of that is it is all contained in one unit that we carry on our hip, pocket, or purse. Now today I am not going to talk to you about the advancement of technology but the fact that God was way ahead of us in this fast paced world we live in, called "self cleansing".
Now I know you have heard of a self-cleansing oven. Yeah it cleans all by itself but it still takes some work on your part. Our Christian life is a lot like the self-cleaning oven. As a Christian you have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. You no longer have to fear the consequences of the curse that was put forth on Adam for disobeying God in the Garden. And that is not to say that you still will not get all dirty in this life. You need to get cleaned up from time to time; not re-saved, but a re-commitment. Salvation is eternally based on Christ's work not ours. The Lord is merciful, he allows us time to repent of our sins before he casts judgment against them. He has also given you the ability to be your own priest and seek forgiveness through prayer. Self-cleansing sort-a-speak. When you have chosen to go against God's Word, you must seek to renew your fellowship with Him. You must utilize the feature of repentant prayer. How "clean" are you today?
Taking it to the next level
There are five things God want you to know:
1) You need to be saved.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God;" Romans 3:23
2) You cannot save yourself.
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us,…" Titus 3:5
3) Jesus has provided for your salvation.
Who (Jesus) 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." I Peter 2:24
4) You must accept Jesus for Salvation.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," Acts 16:31
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9
5) Now is the time to accept Jesus as your Savior.
"Behold, now is the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation." II Corinthians 6:2
Which Path?
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve….but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15).
Two young boys grew up in Blantyre, Scotland. One grew up and gave his life to be a missionary in the darkest jungles of Africa. As his funeral procession wound its way through the streets of London, (for the bearers had carried his body 600 miles to the coast for transport back to England) amid the crowd stood an old man weeping bitterly. This man, old beyond his years gently explained, to anyone that would listen, how he and the deceased had played together in Blantyre. When the distinguished man had surrendered to Christ for mission work, they drifted apart as friends. The lost man remarked, "Now Davy is honored by everybody, but I am a poor old drunkard." Davy was David Livingstone and the drunkard, a nameless nobody.
Now we don't know much about either man's childhood other than what the man in the street was proclaiming. But one thing is for sure, they had a very similar background but one chose to follow God and the other did not. As we can see by the story, the man that chose the path of pleasure had an end that led nowhere but destruction. But the other who chose selfless service to God had a life that was full of celebration.
The decisions you make now in your youth will affect the outcome of your life down the road. Have you ever heard the phrase, "Play now, pay later"? It is so true. If you decide now that you are going to sow your "wild oats" and party with your friends, not read your Bible, or even talk to God on a daily basis, how will you know what God wants for your life? If now you stay focused on God and remain faithful to Him and determine in your heart that you will serve the Lord and never steer away from that, God will use you.
God may need you for a simple task like witnessing to your friends at school or greeting people at the door of the church as they arrive, no matter what you do for Him, you will be serving God and that is what He asks. Have a servant's heart! Your determination now will pay off with big dividends later in Heaven when God rewards you with crowns for your hard work you did for Him on earth.
Choose today who you will follow!
Follow Christ, and great will be your reward in Heaven.
Follow the ways of the devil and the world, and it leads to a miserable life and sure destruction.
The Mask Of Deception
Today our young people are deceived by Satan in many ways. We have the Internet, video games, peer pressure, sex, television, music, etc. The Word of God warns us about how Satan is an "Angel of Light" and tries to fool us into following him.
Ephesians 6:12 - "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."
Satan looms behind all the false teachings to make us think it is truth, but the underlying message is false. We all want to feel like we belong to something and get the approval of others, God places this in us and Satan takes advantage of it. Many churches out there were started all from the same historic Christian faith, but Satan's false prophets came in and twisted the truth just enough that we now have all these religions that are a feel good religion and cause us to miss the mark just enough that we miss Heaven.
Satan uses a mask to lure people into indulging in sinful living. A innocent video game with mild violence turns someone into a criminal, a simple television show that makes lite of sex turns someone into a rapist or child molester, etc., I could go on and on. As an Angel of Light, he makes sin appealing then he destroys you.
In Acts 20:19, Paul warns the church at Ephesus to be alert for the masquarade of Satan. We must be on constant watch for these false prophets and our guard needs to be up at all times against temptations.
So how do we defend ourselves from Satan? Be grounded in your faith and know the Word of God, study the scriptures and you will have a shield to protect you from Satan's attacks.
God Bless
Satan Takes Joy In Our Discouragement
Recently I have seen many of my friends and co-workers in the ministry fall to the ever so common tool of Satan which is discouragement. I myself have been a victim of being discouraged about things that happen in life like finances, family issues, friends and ministry let downs. Satan preys on our human nature to be discouraged very easily, he will throw every obstacle he can in our path to keep us from serving God and doing what He wants us to do. So what does God say about discouragement?“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12).
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Peter 5:8).
“Submit yourself therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners: and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”(James 4:7&8).
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” (James 4:10).
Listen to what God has to say to you:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9).
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” (Psalms 31:24)
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised” (Hebrews 10:23)
“Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22)
“Casting ALL your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7)
”Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant…Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and the power of his might.”
( Ephesians 6:10)
Finally, PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD (Ephesians 6:10-18).
The next time you feel discouraged, remember these verses from the Bible and don't let Satan win the victory by seeing you down in the dumps. Instead of publicly letting the world know you are discouraged, ask a brother or sister in Christ to pray with you. There are too many people out there on the web that you may think is your friend but they may be taking joy in the fact that you are down and discouraged. So just remember, Christ loves you and cares about you, and He is your friend. He will be there for you.
God Bless
A Good Role Model
In light of the recent events with Miley Cirus and her disregard to her Christian Testimony I began to think about what would be a good role model. I am extremely outraged by her actions because she destroyed any kind of respect I had for her and her stand on morale values. So what does the Bible say how we should pick our role models and even be one ourselves?
We are in crisis in our country. It seems that there is a short supply of role models. Charles Barkley, years ago, when asked about his influence over younger kids simply said, "I am not a role model!" I looked up the term leader and role model on the internet and found 47 synonyms. It seems we have many words for leader but few to be found among the living.
Unfortunately, many of our young people have to look to athletes and popular musicians to find their examples. I believe this crisis exists in our country, politics to be specific, our homes, and yes, even our churches. It seems every time we find someone to look up to, idolize if you will, something comes out to indicate a flawed lifestyle. I am convinced we need more leaders to demonstrate how to live life with integrity and character. These words imply wholeness in living. In other words, what you say and do match in your daily living.
I am reminded of 2 Timothy and the role a mother played in her son’s life. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 1:5,
5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Timothy’s idols, role models, and leader examples were his grandmother Lois, his mother, Eunice, and of course, Paul. Scripture clearly indicates that these individuals were godly examples of what a person of faith should look, sound, and act like. Paul attributes Timothy’s sincere faith to the godly influence found at home. So what did this faith look like and what should it look like in our role models life and our lives if we are to be "godly" role model for others.
Paul tells us that to present ourselves as one approved, a godly role model, we must avoid evil.
Simply put, there are behaviors that are to be avoided that would indicate we are not of God. To be godly influences we must avoid the following.
The first is godless chatter. Paul says, "more and more ungodly" and "it will spread like gangrene’. It was used in the ancient world diseases that spread quickly and even referred to cancer. You can’t get more destructive than that! Godless chatter would include gossiping and murmuring which are listed along side the sins of adultery, witchcraft, and murder. Which to us seem much greater sins. The opposite of godless chatter is godly instruction and encouragement.
The second is, avoid the evil desires of youth. Most if us wouldn’t mind having a little younger age but Paul says when it comes to spirituality, avoid it. But this passage refers to being impulsive, acting on testosterone instead of prayer and discipline. Timothy was fairly young when this letter was written. Paul was well aware how quickly a young man could and would react irrationally. Paul says avoid it.
Paul also gives us some "dos" concerning the godly life and example we should set for others and here is where I would like to focus the majority of this blog.
First, be Bible smart. Be knowledgeable in what the Bible says. An old quote by Mark Twain concerning scripture said, "A Bible that is worn usually belongs to a person that is not." When it comes to godly living you can’t ignore the instruction manual. Charles Spurgeon said,
“We are walkers through the city of this world, and we are often called to go out into its darkness; let us never venture there without the light giving word, lest we slip with our feet. Each man should use the word of God personally, practically, and habitually, that he may see his way and see what lies in it. When darkness settles down upon all around me, the word of the Lord, like a flaming torch, reveals my way.”
A good role model is one that follows the outline presented in God’s word.
Second, do not be ashamed. If you are ashamed to live the life God lays out for you, you can never be an example to others. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14-16,
Matthew 5
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.'
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.'
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.'
Jesus said we are to be the light of the world so that our good works can be seen by others not so we can be glorified, but God.
Secondly, we are to be ready for service or whatever God may bring.
Paul said the first step in being ready for service is to cleanse ourselves.
2 Timothy 2
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, prepared unto every good work.
If you are not already a believer you must first come to Christ. Jesus said if we call upon His name we shall be saved. If you are already a believer you are to get rid of the junk, time wasting habits, improper speech, and of course sin in your life. Fortunately, I John 1:9 says, if we confess, it is done.
After we are cleansed we are to make ourselves available to God. We are to be prepared to do any good work, especially influencing others. These would include kindness and gentle instruction.
Finally, remain faithful. Be true to the task in whatever God puts before you. Paul lists several steps along with those mentioned in living a godly influential life. 2 Timothy 2:11-13 says,
11 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
He mentions 3 things. Live in Him, endure in Him, and He is faithful even when you are not. Live in Jesus by receiving Him into your life through repentance and faith. Endure in Him by equipping yourself daily through His word. And finally, remain faithful.
Are you ready to begin being the instrument, the role model, that God intended for your life? It is never too late to start no matter what’s in your past. I am sure you can name one person who looks up to you. Isn’t it time you began leading in the right direction.
When you are not, remember that it is all about the resurrection power of Jesus in your life not your power or goodness which leads to salvation. You are saved by grace, not of yourself.
We can apply this to our lives to be good role models and use it as a guideline in searching for good role models.
Lord Bless