Biblical Confessions

I thoroughly enjoyed Steve Sampson ministering in our services last weekend. Along with specific words of knowledge Steve spoke a powerful word to our entire congregation about our identity and influence in God. The enemy is out to destroy our identity and influence and the Holy Spirit is there to increase our understanding of both. We need to stop believing what the enemy, the world, and everybody else says about us and believe God. Sometimes we are our own worst critics. We put ourselves down and sabotage our influence. What God says about us is true! I like what Steve Sampson always say, “God thinks He’s right.” And He is!

Take time this week to declare these biblical confessions. Stand on His word and let the Holy Spirit increase the understanding of your identity and influence.

• I am a child of God (1 John 3:2)
  
• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)
  
• The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10)
  
• I have the peace of God (Philippians 4:11)
  
• I am more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)
  
• My tongue is God’s property (James 3:2)
  
• I speak with authority (Luke 10:19)
  
• I love the Word of God (Psalm 119:162)
  
• God will supply all of my needs (Philippians 4:19)
  
• I walk by the Spirit ( Galatians 5:16)
  
• I have the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22)
  
• I am free from fear and worry ( 1 Peter 5:7)
  
• I am a joint-heir with Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:6)
  
• I am the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
  
• God loves me (John 15:9)
  
• I am a new creation - a new person altogether in Christ Jesus. Old things have passed away; all things have become fresh and new! ( 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Jehovah Shalom

So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD is Peace.
Judges 6:24a

For to us a child is born… And he will be called… Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7

This has been a difficult week for our nation. As if we needed a reminder, the Virginia Tech Massacre has reminded us that we live in a fallen and evil world. It seems as though the more our questions about this tragedy are answered, deeper questions about the human condition arise. There is unrest in our souls as we ponder the tragedies of this life.

One of the names for God in the Bible is Jehovah Shalom, The Lord is peace. Peace is an attribute of God. In the uproar of our world God remains steady and calm. Don’t think this means God is aloof and indifferent to our plight. The Bible teaches us that God grieves, gets angry, is afflicted, feels our sorrow, but none of these things disturb His steady peace. When this world blows up, God is steady, undisturbed. He remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. He is the Rock.

It is easy to have peace when things are good in our lives. But storms do come. God offers a peace that passes understanding. When there is no reason to have peace, we can have peace in God because He is Jehovah Shalom. He is our rock in the shifting sands of life. When God rules our lives, His Prince of Peace, who lives in us, gives us a peace that passes understanding. Pray for that peace in your life and share it with those around you. Today, as we worship, celebrate our Jehovah Shalom who is our steady peace no matter what we are going through.

Ascension Convention Continues On...

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:10-13

We are week past the Ascension Convention and good reports of what God did in the lives of students continue to come in from across the country. God touched the lives of thousands of students. I listened this past Wednesday night as our students from Christian Life shared their testimonies of what God. It was awesome! Keep our young people in your prayers as God continues His work in their lives.

What amazed me was the response of the young people during each service. No matter the speaker, no matter the topic, students responded each and every time a call was given. Whether for salvation, consecration, overcoming addictions, suicidal thoughts, etc. students came forward desiring God to change their hearts and lives. Powerful ministry took place around a makeshift altar at the O’Hare Hyatt Grand Ballroom.

This response at the Ascension Convention reveals two things. First, young people around the country are hungry for God’s power and work in their lives. They desire a real and lasting work… a true life changing work. Simply stated, young people are open to God. Second, seeing young people respond at the altar for things such as suicide and addictions reveals the satan’s plan to destroy this generation.

Our response must be prayer! There is a spiritual war going on for the lives of our young people. We need to pray that the revival fires continue to burn in their lives. We must also pray that God protects them from the schemes of the enemy. Let’s stand strong in prayer for our young people so that the next generation of the church is stronger than it than it has ever been before.

Serving Well

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…
Philippians 2:3a

There are three things that last forever: the Word of God, the Kingdom of God, and the souls of men. It is awesome to think that in a weekend service at church we can impact eternity as we take in the Word, see people give their lives to Christ, and sow seed into God’s Kingdom work at home and around the world. This coming weekend in the life of our church we are looking to make a significant impact in eternity.

This week we have the opportunity to eternally influence the lives of thousands of teenagers at the Ascension Convention. The Ascension Convention was birthed by President Schmidt and the college and for over twenty years our church has teamed up with the college to touch the lives of tens of thousands of students. Each year testimonies come in of lives radically changed by this annual weekend event.

As your pastor, I want to thank you for each year investing your Easter weekend in the lives of countless teenagers. As a former youth pastor I know the power and influence these types of events have on students. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to decorate, monitor, usher, make CD’s, set up, tear down, etc. This convention is too big to go on without you. Each person and their giftings are necessary to make this event a success.

There is no doubt we will work hard, but without God it will be impossible. Pray with me that as we serve together God shows up in a big way in each student’s life. After this Sunday’s service there will be an Ascension Convention volunteers meeting in the sanctuary. Even if you haven’t signed up yet, come and see where you can be involved. See Pastor Jon, give him a call or send him and email and let him know you want to invest in eternity this week.

Cowboy Ten Commandments

If only Moses was a cowboy. ;-) Got this from a good friend, great pastor, with an awesome blog. http://jawboneofapastor.blogspot.com Enjoy!

Ten Commandments for Cowboys
1. Just one God
2. Honor yer Ma & Pa
3. No telling tales or gossipin’
4. Git yourself to Sunday meeting
5. Put nothin’ before God
6. No foolin’ around with another fellow’s gal
7. No killin’
8. Watch yer mout
9. Don’t take what ain’t yers
10. Don’t be hankerin’ for yer buddy’s stuff.

Yep, that's purty much it!

If you want to read the Ten Commandments in their entirety and the events surrounding them check out Exodus 20.

President Abraham Lincoln

The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

The Christian Life Church Book Club is reading the book Lincoln’s Melancholy. Our 16th president had a fascinating journey to becoming one of nations most beloved and respected presidents.

Did you know that within days of taking the office of president that?

• His predecessor, James Buchanan, openly declared that Lincoln would destroy the nation.
• Seven stated seceded from the Union.
• The U.S. House of Representatives refused Lincoln’s plea to enlarge the military.
• The Senate passed a resolution demanding the War Department reduce military spending.
• Rumors ran rampant that Lincoln would be shot at his inaugural and Washington DC would be burned to the ground.

Think you got troubles? To make matters worse the New York and Washington papers viciously attacked Lincoln calling him a “third rate country lawyer, a dictator, an ape, a buffoon.”

How was Lincoln able to succeed with so much against him? He was a leader who always chose to what was right. He was also a leader who surrounded himself with the right people to help him succeed. His decisions weren’t based on what was popular or convenient. Lincoln simply chose what was right.

How do you handle the critics, disappointments, and struggles of life? Do you look for the easy way out? Do you seek the approval of others? I encourage to always choose to do what is right. Seek God’s counsel and follow His ways. It may not be popular. It may not be easy. But it will be right and will lead to ultimate success.

Fatih

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

I heard a great thought on faith this week. I was listening to the Morning Ministries with Roger Plummer on WYLL 1160AM and heard someone on one of the programs preaching on faith. I didn’t have anything to take notes, so to the best of my memory, here are some of the powerful principles I gleaned on faith this morning.

Faith is not…wishing really hard that something will happen.

Faith is not…accomplishing certain results that others cannot.

Faith is not…just believe until you get it.

Faith is…getting out of the way so God can do His good and perfect will and purpose in our life.

Faith is about God and His way not us and our way. John the Baptist said it this way, “He must increase…I must decrease.” John 3:30-31 (NKJV)

I have thoroughly enjoyed preparing our sermons this year on Getting To Know God. The more you study about how God has revealed Himself the more powerful and awesome He gets. His plans and His ways are far beyond mine. God has so much more for us! He wants to do more in our lives than we could ever imagine. The Apostle Paul states, “By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.” Eph 3:20 (NLT)

Increase your faith this week…get out of the way, seek God and His ways, and watch what He will do!

Authentic Self Esteem

And since we are his children, we will share his treasures — for everything God gives to his Son, Christ, is ours, too.
Romans 8:17a (NLT)

Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about building authentic self esteem in children. As parents, we do our best to show our children unconditional love. However, we’re not perfect, and no matter how hard we try there are times we fall short in this difficult task.

In our fallen state we often adopt unhealthy ways of finding our self worth. Most of the time we work to earn the love, respect, attention from others. Somewhere along the way as children we learn we have to perform to be accepted and loved. This continues into adulthood and into our relationship with God. But with God, He is perfect, and His love is unconditional.

God loves you with a 1 Corinthians 13 kind of love. Love is patient, love is kind…it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs…It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God loves you perfectly.

God loves you because you are his child and He is your perfect Heavenly Father. True self esteem comes from knowing our identity and inherent worth as children of God. God has adopted you into his family. You are a joint heir with Jesus sharing in all of the treasures and promises of God! This week stop trying to perform for God and instead rest and enjoy His love. His love is perfect!

Miracles

Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John 20:30-31 (NIV)

I enjoy etymology, the history of words. I was researching the word miracle this past week and discovered its origin comes from the Latin miraculum, “a wonder, marvel, to wonder at.” There is no doubt that the supernatural work of God in our lives is something to marvel or wonder at.

When was the last time you marveled or wondered at the work of God in your life? It’s good to take time to review God’s work in your life. It’s better to take it one step further and share a testimony with a friend of what God has done in your life. This remembering and telling not only increases our thankfulness it also increases our faith.

In our passage above John tells us that he wrote about the miracles of Jesus so ”that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Miracles are meant to bring belief and life in Christ. It cannot be overstated that miracles are an important part of our Christian life.

I expect God to do miracles. It’s what He does. I believe that God works supernaturally in our lives to show the world who He is and by our testimony there will be belief and new life in Christ.

Da Bears

Hey sports fans Sunday is the big day. The Bears will be playing their first playoff game. As many of you know, I’m a big fan. The question is will the Bears be able to go on to the NFC Championship game or will this be another early exit from the playoffs? I’ve been listening to the experts talk about the keys to the big game. Some of the points they mention include…

• Preparation
• Every player playing their best
• Potent offense
• Tough defense
• Coaching
• Minimize the turnovers
• Will to win

And the list goes on. A lot of the same things are the key to a successful Christian Life.

It is interesting how many times Paul uses sporting images as illustrations of the Christian life. Whether it is running, wrestling, boxing each provide insight. Here are just a few…

• Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight (box) like a man beating the air. 1 Corinthians 9:24-26
• For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12-13
• If anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 2 Timothy 2:5

And never forget, in Christ we always win! But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Don't Look Back...Look Ahead

I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
The Apostle Paul – Philippians 3:13, 14

It’s the first weekend of the New Year. 2007 is a year full of possibility and opportunity. We each have 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8760 hours, 525, 600 minutes, and 31,536,000 seconds. What will you do with all this time?

Paul’s letter to the Philippians offers some good advice. First, forget what is behind. Paul is talking about forgetting what is behind in such a way as to not jeopardize his present and future spiritual growth.

Paul is forgetting both the good and the bad of the past. He forgets the wrongs of the past that could paralyze him with guilt and shame. He also wants to forget about the achievements of the past that could cause him to slow down or coast along in his spiritual development.

Paul is interested in one thing: to strain toward what is ahead. Like a runner in a race Paul didn’t want to look back to see where he had been he was concentrating on where he is going. Paul said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Nothing short of God’s good and perfect will, nothing short of reaching his destiny, nothing short of spiritual victory would have satisfied Paul. What about you?

No doubt you have some goals for 2007. It is good to have goals. Goals are necessary in order to measure success in our lives. Take time at the beginning of this New Year to spend time with God, seek His will for you and your family this year, and discover God’s very best for your life.

Bethlehem & Mary

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
Micah 5:2

Our church musical this year got me thinking, of all the cities in the ancient world that God could have chosen as the birthplace of His Son, why would He choose Bethlehem? Bethlehem was more of a drive-by than a destination. Our church and college tour groups to Israel have visited Bethlehem and to this day it remains a second rate city.

God could have chosen Jerusalem, Mount Zion just five miles to the north. A city of kings and palaces, a city of priests and the Temple. God could have even chosen a city such as Rome, the most powerful city in the world. And yet, God chooses an out of the way, often forgotten hamlet, Bethlehem.

God chose Bethlehem often. In the lives of the Patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In the life of David, Israel’s greatest king. And as the birthplace of the Messiah, God’s only begotten Son.

What does this tell us about God? God, in His sovereign and perfect will, often times uses the least expected people, places, and things. Look at Mary. Mary was a young insignificant girl in the eyes of the world. There was nothing outwardly special about Mary. But when God called, she was willing. Our God isn’t looking for the best and brightest this world has to offer, He is searching for the willing, obedient, and available. Will He find these qualities in you this Christmas?

Dreams

Have you ever been accused of being a dreamer? I have. I remember once in seminary an older minister told me that I was too idealistic and that I would be disillusioned and out of the ministry before I was thirty. Well thirty came and went awhile ago and here I am, still dreaming about what the church could be. And if you think about it, Christ said He would build His church, so with Christ as our builder we should dream big.

There is a dreamer in the Old Testament by the name of Joseph. In Genesis 37, young Joseph had a dream that God would make him great. As he shares his dreams with his family, they not only criticize and mock him, they can’t stand having him around anymore, so they sell Joseph into slavery. His life takes several more tragic turns and you would think the dream is dead. But despite the lies, the hardship, and prison time Joseph endures God still makes the dream a reality. When God gives a dream, no matter the present circumstances, the dream will come to pass.

There was another dreamer named Joseph this time in the New Testament. Joseph, the man God called to be Jesus’ step dad. In what seemed to be a bad and awkward situation God gave Joseph a dream. God let Joseph know that He up to something big. Mary’s pregnancy was a part of God’s plan to bring His Son, Jesus, into the world so that He could “save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21) Joseph was bold enough to believe in the dream. I’m sure it wasn’t always easy, but Joseph knew that when God gives a dream, He will take care of the details.
Do you have a dream from God? If so, hold on to the dream. He will bring it to pass. If not, talk with God and ask Him to plant a dream in your heart. A dream so big that it’s something only He could do.

Christmas Lights

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."
John 8:12

I have noticed an increasing number of Christmas lights during my evening walks. It appears as though each night a few more homes turn on their Christmas lights. There also seems to me to be more decorations and lights up this year than in the past. Possibly it’s the mild weather we’ve had the past couple of weeks or perhaps there is a more positive festive feeling in the air this year.

Whatever the reason for the number of Christmas lights, one thing is for sure; the neighborhood is a lot brighter. What was a walk in the dark during the past several weeks is now a bright and joyful stroll. And even though the weather has turned brisk the bright Christmas lights bring a warmth to the neighborhood.

As the boys and I were stringing our Christmas lights over the bushes I thought of the verse above. The Creator who said, “Let there be light” came into our world and said, “I am the light.” Our world can be a very dark place. But Jesus came so that we don’t have to walk in darkness anymore. What was a very dark walk through life is now filled with the light of Christ.

Jesus not only said He was the light of the world, He challenges us in Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world.” What a task! We represent the light of Christ to our dark world. To people who may never open a Bible or walk into a church this Christmas we may be the only reflection of Jesus they may ever see. When looking at the beautiful Christmas lights this year, remember, we are called to bring the light of Christ to our neighborhood and world.

Thanksgiving

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

I can’t wait for Thursday. I love Thanksgiving, the unpretentious holiday that is celebrated with family, food, and football. It is the most celebrated holiday in the United States. More people celebrate Thanksgiving than even Christmas. Personally, it’s my favorite holiday. I like that for a day out of the year we pause to give thanks to God for His goodness to us.

While it’s great that Americans take a day out of the year to be thankful, it seems as though as a culture we are becoming less thankful all of the time. You would think as the most blessed nation in the world every day would be thanksgiving. But it isn’t. We focus on what others have and we do not. We love to complain. We always want more.

As Christians we are commanded to be thankful. If anybody should be thankful it ought to be all of us who have received God’s abundant and eternal life. We can be thankful in all circumstances because we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) God has us taken care of in this life and the life to come.

How can we as Christians be more thankful?
Minister to those who have less than we do.
Avoid grumbling and complaining.
Verbally express your thanksgiving through worship and prayer.
Live a joyful life.

I believe being thankful honors God and is a light of witness to our watching world. Live a life of thanksgiving this week and every week!

Melchizedek

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.
Hebrews 7:1, 2a

Money is an aspect of our lives that has a deep impact in almost every area of our lives. How we view and use money says a lot about who we are and what we value.

Giving money at church is an important part of the Christian life. Tithing is an act of worship. Genesis 14 and Hebrews 7 show that the principle of tithing (giving God 10% of your income) is a pre-Law principle of honoring God. God has used the tithe of His people throughout history to care for His house and build His kingdom.

In our personal lives of worship tithing allows us to honor God with more than words. Money is important to all of us. Giving our money to God shows how important our relationship with God is to us.

Tithing expresses our personal allegiance to God. We see this in Genesis 28. Here, God reveals himself to Jacob in a dream. In response, the patriarch vows, “the Lord shall be my God…and of all that you give me I will give a full tenth to you.” For Jacob, the tithe became a natural expression of his decision to follow the God of His Fathers.

Tithing is also an expression of Thanksgiving. Tithing expresses overflowing gratitude towards God. It breaks free from guilt as the motivation for giving. Its ultimate focus is the condition of one’s heart toward God.

Let us search our heart and make a renewed commitment to God through our giving.

Motivational Speakers

I have always been fascinated by motivational speakers. I’m drawn to their positive messages. Now, I’m not talking about the new age nonsense you sometimes see on PBS. I’m talking about people who focus our attention on the positive side of life. I enjoy looking at life through the eyes of faith and hope.

Subsequently, I have always enjoyed ministers and ministries that have focused on positive faith-filled thinking. I love to watch and listen to a Robert Schuller or a Joel Osteen. There is something about their message that inspires my soul. And judging by the size of their congregations and TV audience there are many inspired by their message.

The reason positive messages are so attractive is because they are filled with faith. Faith that there is something greater, bigger, better in our future. And as we have been studying in Hebrews, “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Hebrews 11:6a

When you study the Bible you will find the positive faith-filled messages that permeate the pages of Scripture. Paul in Philippians 4:8 commands us to think on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Peter in 1 Peter 2:9 tells us to see ourselves as a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. One of my favorite verses comes in the blessing pronounced in Deuteronomy 28:13, “The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.”

The Word of God is clear…for those of us who love and follow God with all of their heart, soul, mind and strength we can be full of hope and faith. Now that’s a positive message worth getting excited about!

The Secret Place

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 (KJV)


Secret places in our lives are important because they make us into the people God has called us to be. What we become in the secret places follows us into our daily lives and allows us to live victorious spiritual lives in the fray of everyday hectic life.

The difficulty with the secret place is that you can’t make the experience happen. We all need to experience God in the secret place, so what can we do?

Position yourself. We can position ourselves to meet with God. Make sure you’re at church, worshipping, in the Word, spending time with God privately, meeting with your small group, etc.

Persevere. Persevere until meet with God. Take the time necessary. Don’t give up.

Live in it. You can’t stay in the secret place but you can take the experience with you. Live in the power and presence of God in every area, every day of your life.

Go after a secret place experience with God this week!

The Biggies

Early in our adulthood we make the decisions that shape our lives. We take on tremendous responsibility not really knowing the full impact of our choices. We get married, have children, choose a career, etc. I remember early in my twenties I couldn’t wait to get married, have kids, and be a “real” pastor. Needless to say, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

As we mature, we realize that we need help with the “biggie” responsibilities of life. What we once thought we could handle with ease becomes overwhelming.
We call these responsibilities the “biggies” because they become the main callings in our life. We are called to our marriage. We are called to parenting. We are called to our work. The good news is that when God places a calling on our life He is there to help us. If we are yielded to God He will fully equip and anoint us for the callings of our life.

Attitude

Chuck Swindoll has said so well, “Attitude is more important than the facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people say or think or do.”

Did you ever notice how much God is interested in our mind and our thinking? Because He is our creator He knows how we are wired. Our mind sets the direction for our life. It is our mind and thoughts that help us live beyond our natural surroundings and circumstances and embrace a life of faith. In His Word we are challenged by God to have His mind or His way of thinking. God freely gives His wisdom to all who are willing to follow.

Here are some verses to use in renewing your mind and thinking this week.

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 (NIV)

Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature. Ephesians 4:23-24 (TLB)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2-3 (NKJV)

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)