Defined Image
“A bird is defined not by being grounded but by his ability to fly. Remember this, humans are defined not by their limitations, but by the intentions I have for them; not by what they seem to be, but by everything it means to be created in my image”
The Shack
Man is not to be defined by man’s abilities or accomplishments or even lack of accomplishment. Man is defined by God’s thoughts towards man. God calls mankind his beloved sons and daughters, full heirs to His inheritance now. Not at some future point in time but right now. 2 Corinrhians 3:18 speaks of a man looking into a mirror and seeing God’s reflection. A mirror sees/reflects only what is directly in front of it at that exact time. Not some future point but right now.
1 John 4:17
English Standard Version
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
Belief & Identity

Believing what God already believes about you will change everything!
His beliefs about you are so much greater than anything you will even be able to remotely comprehend!
Let Him establish your identity no other source. All others sources for your identity are inferior. His beliefs and view of you are perfect. Rest in that thought…..
2 Corinthians 3:18
The days of window-shopping are over! In him every face is unveiled. In gazing with wonder at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form, we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us! This is the most radical transformation engineered by the Spirit of the Lord; we are led from an inferior mind-set to the revealed endorsement of our authentic identity. Mankind is his glory!
A mirror shows what is directly in front of it. It does not show a past or future version of what is in front of it but that which is there at that immediate moment. He is mirrored perfectly in us, we are mirrored perfectly in Him right now.
He is my identity! What’s true of Him is true of you!
(The word, anakekalumeno, is a perfect passive participle from anakalupto; ana, a preposition denoting upward, to return again, and kalupto, to uncover, unveil. The word, katoptrizomenoi, is the present middle participle from katoptrizomai, meaning to gaze into a reflection, to mirror oneself. The word metamorphumetha is a present passive indicative from metamorpho; meta, together with, and meros, form. [The word commonly translated for sin, hamartia, is the opposite of this as ha, means without, and meros, form.] The word, eikon, translates as exact resemblance, image and likeness; eikon always assumes a prototype, that which it not merely resembles, but from that which it is drawn; doxa, glory, translates as mind-set, opinion from dokeo, authentic thought. Changed ‘from glory to glory’, apo doxes eis doxan; eis, a point reached in conclusion; apo, away from, meaning away from the glory that previously defined us, i.e. our own achievements or disappointments, to the glory of our original design that now defines us. [Paul writes in Romans 1:17 about the unveiling of God’s righteousness and then says it is from faith to faith. Here he does not use the word apo, but the preposition, ek, which always denotes source or origin.] Two glories are mentioned in this chapter; the glory of the flesh, and the unfading glory of God’s image and likeness redeemed in us. The fading glory represented in the dispensation of the law of Moses is immediately superseded by the unveiling of Christ in us! Some translations of this scripture reads, “we are being changed from glory to glory.” This would suggest that change is gradual and will more than likely take a lifetime, which was the typical thinking that trapped Israel for forty years in the wilderness of unbelief! We cannot become more than what we already are in Christ. We do not grow more complete; we simply grow in the knowledge of our completeness! [See Col 3:10] We are not changed “from one degree of glory to another,” or step by step. How long does it take the beautiful swan to awaken to the truth of its design? The ugly duckling was an illusion! Whatever it was that endorsed the ‘ugly duckling’ mindset, co-died together with Christ!)
Shirley oh surely the reflection reminder…

I have always looked at Psalm 23 as the conforting verse or the Sunday School chapter. “Look, we have a good shepherd” kind of a chapter. But it really speaks identity to me now.
Psalm 23
A psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
In Him I am found, I am who he says I am and he really likes me!
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.
A different wording-take Mirror word style:
Looking into the waters of reflection (still waters) we are suddenly reminded of who we are seeing by seeng our reflection (my original identity and redeemed innocence) (2 Cor 3:18 James 1:23-25)
3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
He is my source and I am His glory!
4 Even when I walk through the darkest
valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.
The revelation of He in me completes me.
5 You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.
Just WOW, you seriously dote over me!
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
So you define me, complete me, and take care of me FOREVER!
YEAH I could really like this!
That’s all for now…
AWESOMENESS!
Who do you see when you look into the mirror?
My identity can only be defined by what God says about me… He defines me and what he says of me is awesomeness!!
What he sees in me is HIM! He created me pre-dirt with his DNA. I have His DNA!! I was made in His image!
What’s true of Him is true of me!!
2 Corinthians 3:18
The days of window-shopping are over! In him every face is unveiled. In gazing with wonder at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form, we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us! This is the most radical transformation engineered by the Spirit of the Lord; we are led from an inferior mind-set to the revealed endorsement of our authentic identity. Mankind is his glory!
John 1
12 Everyone who realizes their association is IN HIM, convinced that he is their original life and that His name defines them, in them he endorses the fact that they are indeed his offspring, begotten of him; he sanctions the legitimacy of their sonship.
13 These are they who discover their genesis in God beyond their natural conception! Man began in God. We are not the invention of our parents
14 Suddenly the invisible eternal Word takes on visible form! The Incarnation! In Him, and now confirmed in us! The most accurate tangible display of God’s thought finds expression in human life. The Word became a human being; we are His address; He resides in us! He captivates our gaze! The glory we see there is is not a religious replica; He is the authentic begotten son! The glory (that Adam lost) returns in fullness! Only grace can communicate truth in such a complete context!
Darkness of ignorance, Where are you getting your identity?
I read this, this morning. Francois Du Toit had posted it on Facebook. Where are you getting your identity? Is it an accurate identity or a skewed one? If it is not founded on God’s definition of you it probably is skewed.
People are not born Christians, yet every person ever born comes from God! God says in Jer 1:5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb!”
We are God’s idea: we began in God! We are born into a world where we are bombarded with many diverse cultural and traditional mindsets, most of which directly stems from the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil system, which is the fallen mindset system which says you are not…you have to strive to become! People who do gross things do it from believing a lie about themselves and not knowing the truth of their incredible design as image bearers of God! James says in Js 3:9, We can say beautiful things about God the Father but with the same mouth curse a man made in his mirror likeness. The point is not what the man did to deserve the curse! A doctor doesn’t slap his patient and command him to stop coughing! You may have the flu but you never become the flu!
True worship is to touch someone’s life with the same devotion and care you would touch Jesus himself; even if the other person seems a most unlikely candidate.
Multitudes of people are living in the darkness of ignorance, not knowing the truth of the integrity of their design and their redeemed value and innocence! The adventure of the Christian life is to declare what we have discovered to be true about every single person! Jesus says that when we discover that the son of man is indeed the son of God then the gates of hades (not to see) will crumble and the prisoners of darkness will be free to discover themselves in him!
Truth does not invite dispute, doctrine does!Truth awakens resonance!
As in a Mirror
The bible was not made in the likeness and in the image of God but you were. All of this picture is about Jesus but all of Jesus is about you. The good news is not that you can give your life to God but that God gave his life to you. The good news is that first of all that God saw something more important in you then in heaven. That is why left heaven and became a man.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18 it starts out “The days of window shopping are over!” Window shopping infers that you are just looking or you don’t have any cash to buy something you want. The days of just looking are over. Through the cross Jesus paid for us. We have been pre-paid! Remember, it is finished? It’s done! Our original identity has been reset. Our pre Genesis is what will always be seen as by God. A mirror shows only what is directly in front of it at that exact moment. It does not show the past or the future. When we look into the mirror that God is holding for us to look into it says ” In him every face is unveiled. In gazing with wonder at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form, we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us!” The stepping into righteousness is not only immediate it’s so immediate it’s past tense.
Ephesians 2:13
But now, wow! Everything has changed; you have discovered yourselves to be located in Christ. What once seemed so distant is now so near; his blood reveals your redeemed innocence and authentic genesis.
2 Corinthians 3:18
The days of window-shopping are over! In him every face is unveiled. In gazing with wonder at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form, we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us! This is the most radical transformation engineered by the Spirit of the Lord; we are led from an inferior mind-set to the revealed endorsement of our authentic identity. Mankind is his glory! (The word, anakekalumeno, is a perfect passive participle from anakalupto; ana, a preposition denoting upward, to return again, and kalupto, to uncover, unveil. The word, katoptrizomenoi, is the present middle participle from katoptrizomai, meaning to gaze into a reflection, to mirror oneself. The word metamorphumetha is a present passive indicative from metamorpho; meta, together with, and meros, form. [The word commonly translated for sin, hamartia, is the opposite of this as ha, means without, and meros, form.] The word, eikon, translates as exact resemblance, image and likeness; eikon always assumes a prototype, that which it not merely resembles, but from that which it is drawn; doxa, glory, translates as mind-set, opinion from dokeo, authentic thought. Changed ‘from glory to glory’, apo doxes eis doxan; eis, a point reached in conclusion; apo, away from, meaning away from the glory that previously defined us, i.e. our own achievements or disappointments, to the glory of our original design that now defines us. [Paul writes in Romans 1:17 about the unveiling of God’s righteousness and then says it is from faith to faith. Here he does not use the word apo, but the preposition, ek, which always denotes source or origin.] Two glories are mentioned in this chapter; the glory of the flesh, and the unfading glory of God’s image and likeness redeemed in us. The fading glory represented in the dispensation of the law of Moses is immediately superseded by the unveiling of Christ in us! Some translations of this scripture reads, “we are being changed from glory to glory.” This would suggest that change is gradual and will more than likely take a lifetime, which was the typical thinking that trapped Israel for forty years in the wilderness of unbelief! We cannot become more than what we already are in Christ. We do not grow more complete; we simply grow in the knowledge of our completeness! [See Col 3:10] We are not changed “from one degree of glory to another,” or step by step. How long does it take the beautiful swan to awaken to the truth of its design? The ugly duckling was an illusion! Whatever it was that endorsed the ‘ugly duckling’ mindset, co-died together with Christ!)
[II Corinthians 3:1]
by Mirror Bible – mobile app. http://www.mirrorbible.com
James 2:22-25
22 Give the word your undivided attention; do not underestimate yourself. Make the calculation. There can only be one logical conclusion: your authentic origin is mirrored in the word. You are God’s poem; let his voice make poetry of your life!
(The word, akroate, means intent listening. James is not promoting the doing of the law of works; he is defining the law of perfect liberty. Doing the word begins with your undivided attention to the face of your birth. A doer of the Word, poetes, means poet. Make the calculation, paralogizomai, from para, a preposition indicating close proximity, union, and logizomai, to reckon the logic in any calculation.)
23 The difference between a mere spectator and a participator is that both of them hear the same voice and perceive in its message the face of their own genesis reflected as in a mirror;
24 they realize that they are looking at themselves, but for the one it seems just too good to be true, he departs (back to his old way of seeing himself) and immediately forgets what manner of person he is; never giving another thought to the one he saw there in the mirror.
25 The other one is mesmerized by what he sees; he is captivated by the effect of a law that frees man from the obligation to the old written code that restricted him to his own efforts and willpower. No distraction or contradiction can dim the impact of what he sees in that mirror concerning the law of perfect liberty (the law of faith) that now frees him to get on with the act of living the life (of his original design.) He finds a new spontaneous lifestyle; the poetry of practical living. (The law of perfect liberty is the image and likeness of God revealed in Christ, now redeemed in man as in a mirror. Look deep enough into that law of faith that you may see there in its perfection a portrait that so resembles the original that he becomes distinctly visible in the spirit of your mind and in the face of every man you behold. I translated the word, parakupto, with mesmerized from para a preposition indicating close proximity, originating from, denoting the point from which an action originates, intimate connection, and kupto, to bend, stoop down to view at close scrutiny; parameno, to remain captivated under the influence of; meno, to continue to be present. The word often translated as freedom, eleutheria, means without obligation; spontaneous.)
by Mirror Bible – mobile app. http://www.mirrorbible.com
Question about Mirrors leads to Grace and Identity
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I posed a question on Facebook, Twitter,and WordPress last night asking a simple question, “What is a mirror and what does it do?” Below are some of the responses. Some of the replies were humorous to philosophical. But I received the basic response I was expecting.
According to Merriams-Webster Dictionary:Mirror:
1: a polished or smooth surface (as of glass) that forms images by reflection2a : something that gives a true representationb : an exemplary model
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A mirror is a man made object to show a reflection. It’s also what John said a portal to another dimension.
A mirror can be used for for different purposes but in fact it is usually a piece of glass with a reflective coating which is used to show an exact reflection of the image of whatever is in front of it. (We are leaving the side show carnival mirrors out of this blog for now)2 Corinthians 3:18 (The Mirror Translation)The days of window-shopping are over! In him every face is unveiled. in gazing at the blueprint likeness of God displayed in human form we suddenly realize that we are looking at ourselves! Every feature of his image is mirrored in us! This is the most radical transformation engineered by the Spirit of the Lord; we are led from an inferior mind-set to the revealed endorsement of our authentic identity . Man Kind is His glory!2 Corinthians 3:18 (Amplified Bible)
And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit
I have read this verse over and over for the past umpteen plus years and never have I put much thought into it. If you look at my previous blogs over the past month you will see that I have been digging into the book of Romans. It has been eye opening. I have spent hours contemplating the cross and grace. I have come to realize I and most Christians I’ve ever known think they are living under the New Covenant when in fact when in reality its most are living in a mix of the Old Covenant (the Law) and the New Covenant (Grace). It is impossible to be in both. you either live under the Law and attain through will power the ability to keep the 10 Commandments and the 600+ minor laws, or you live under the New Covenant and grace. It is one or the other. Jesus paid my spiritual mortgage 2000 years prior to me taking my first breath. He knew me before I was conceived and was waiting enthusiastically for me to be here.
I’m seeing the mirror as a two way street we see ourselves in Christ and he sees him in us, a mirror sees the present time and not the future or past. God is in us now we are blameless and innocent as he took care of my sin issues on the cross 2000 years ago.the ramifications of the cross when realized by the believer radically change ones paradigm. We look into the mirror and see what God sees. He sees us free of sin free of condemnation perfect before him. The vice versa is in effect as well, if he sees that, that is the spiritual reality the mirror should produce for us as well. I don’t have all the words to express this perfectly at this point but the revelation of the two sides the two perceptions of the mirror are liberating. There is now no condemnation I do not have to strive to come to my father. It’s unconditional acceptance. The mere thought of this draws me in to want more of him. This in not some sloppy grace fest. There are some groups out there that take shots at what they term the hyper grace message because they say it licenses the christian to sin. It’s the exact opposite the grace pulls you in to want more. He made man to relate to him on a personal basis. Prior to the fall (Adam), Adam walked and talked with God. The cross brought us back to right standing. a hard reset was done bringing back our original identity and redeemed innocence. He payed my spiritual mortgage.
The ramifications of the cross and what was done for me there are life changing. The realization that grace was poured out unconditionally and I now no longer am bound by the law. I am not bound up with a DIY mindset (work in progress) is freeing. 99% of my Christianity has been based on attaining a level of acceptance that is impossible. A DIY mentality is crippling to a spiritual walk. The epiphany of “looking into th mirror” has been radical to say the least. Not only do we see a reflection of Christ in the mirror but He also sees his reflection in us. Mirrors see the present, not the past or future. He sees me sinless blameless now regardless of how I feel about me. Grace was a total gift. The cross or what was accomplished at the cross should be freeing to anyone who gets it. The realization or understanding that he died and our sin nature died at that moment and our original identity of redeemed innocence was in place 2000 years ago… Woo Hoooooo! HE REALLY REALLY LIKES ME!
Romans 1:17 AMP
For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.
Romans 1:17 TMT
Herein lies the secret of the power of the Gospel; There is no good news in it till the righteousness of of God is revealed. The dynamic of the Gospel is the revelation of God’s faith as the only valid basis for our belief. The prophets wrote in advance about the fact that God believes that righteousness unveils the life that he had in mind for us. “Righteousness by his (God’s) defines life.”
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I’m Trading My Sorrows, Jeremy Camp
Replace trading with the word traded
In a Mirror Dimly (Ordinary Life)
Many people look at God and think hes all about rules and limitations. Heis not interested in controling you. Gods one agenda is to save and set you free to be fully and truly yourself, to be the person he dreamed of. He knew you before you were born. The only reason you are here is because he liked what he saw when he pictured/dreamnt about you before you physically existed. He thinks about you and that thrills him.
Eph 1:4 He does what he likes, he makes what he likes. Your existence is not an accident. Many of us have issues with identity and don’t understand that identity is the root of the problem. Ask yorself this question: do I like who I am, do I like myself? We have gone through confusion because we did not like ourselves. God does not have that problem with us, HE LIKES US AS WE ARE! He does not frown when he thinks of you, he smiles over us and desires to be in relationship with us.
Through the Gospel we have an oppurtunity to see what God sees in us. Gal 2:20 It is no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me. God sees us through God grace redemption glasses. He sees us atvfull potential even whenvwe are not. Is this faith of Christ in the our incarnation of what he sees in us more important than what we see? Is this faith a human action or a God deal?
I was taught what I needed to believe about God growing up, but he would rather I learn what he believes about me. There is a huge difference in these two lines of thought. I want to know the declaration of what God believes about me! It is not my thoughts about God that defines him, it his thoughts about me that defines me. the Gospel doesn’t come demanding faith it supplies faith.
Matth 11:27 No one Knows the father ecxept the Son, no one knows the son except the Father.
If following laws and precepts were enough Jesus wouldn’t have to have come and died ont the cross.
The law reveals the problems, it reveals the spider web but left the spider. Jesus came to kill the spider.
Jesus is not just an example for me but of me. 2 cor 3:18 We behold Him as in a mirror. We behold Him, is there any fault in Jesus (in the image in the mirror)? We behold Him as in a mirror, if we see Him doesn’t he see us too? He comes to reveal the truth about you! That we may know who we are. He came to reproduce His very qualities that he has in us. The cross was that hard reset that set aside the law and brought the new Adam that wiped out the sin nature. That mirror goes two ways. We put off this transformation saying I’m not there yet, but a mirror is AT THIS MOMENT. It is not in the past or future it is the here and now. God sees us in our best even when we are at our low points. That image in the mirror is our original identity, our redeemed innocence, our victorious overcoming walking in power and miracles persona.
Jesus walked his life without sin. He came to earth and took on mans form. he was made flesh. He went through all temptations that entangles our humanity (Hebrews 2). He was at base flesh. It says he grew in wisdom and knowledge (Luke). He knew his father, he knew his mission, and he knew the outcome while still being man like us. Romans 8 calls his flesh, sinful flesh. He was able to look to his father and see the eternal outcome. He sees the spectacular and has a purpose/mission to see eternal results. In my blog yesterday I asked are we willing to lay down our life for the eternal outcome. Am I willing to lose my life. Jesus laid down his life for us so that we could walk into that same eternal mindset here on earth and eternally.
In Romans makes such an appeal that we see that we can/could die with Christ at the cross and walk in his calling on earth as it in heaven TODAY! Paul looked into that mirror and sam that image of Christ reflected back in him(Paul). That image points to a reality greater than me. I want to experience that reality.
Original Identity and reflection of Redeemed Innocence! Seeing in the Spirit rather than the natural eyes
Romans 1:6-10
In Jesus Christ you individually discover who you are. In addressing you, I am dressed all in room. I am convinced of God’s love for you; he restore you to the harmony of your original design; you were made holy in Christ Jesus; no wonder that you are surnamed Saints. Is Grey’s gift in Christ secures your total well being. The father of the Lord Jesus Christ is ours also, he is our God. My great joy is to realize that your face is announced throughout the entire world. Total cosmos is our audience. I am totally engaged in my spirit in the Gospel of Gods son, constantly including you in my prayers, God is my witness.
When you look at Jesus do you see a man what do you see God? I have always looked at Jesus not as just a man but as a God, I have never been able to separate the two. When I picture him speaking to the children or feeding the 5000 I see a man with the omniscience of God. Jesus saw into the spirit. When Jesus called Peter to walk on the water Peter initially stepped out in faith but immediately his eyes were overwhelmed by the natural and was immediately sunk.
Jesus did not come to the planet not to upgrade the cage of Judaism or to start a new one called Christianity but to totally blow out any paradigm. He came to reveal, reclaim, and redeem the image of God in us. The initial pre Adams fall blueprint was restored in us via his death and resurrection. In Genesis it talks about how Adam and God walked and talked in the garden. There was a relationship there like no other. ADAM WALKED AND TALKED WITH GOD! When Moses asked to see God;
Exodus 33:19 The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh,c before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. 20But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” 21The LORD continued, “Look, stand near me on this rock. 22As my glorious presence passes by, I will hide you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23Then I will remove my hand and let you see me from behind. But my face will not be seen.”
Moses was not able to behold Gods face, the glory was so much that I assume it would have killed him. Instead, he was allowed to watch Gods backside after he passed. Whereas Adam walked with God! Let me repeat that, Adam walked with God!
God’s plan before the very foundation of the Earth was that we would walk with Him. Adam messed up and bought sin into the equation but through Jesus, when the stone was rolled away, we were raised together with him, restoring our original (pre-Adam oops) identity and mirror reflect the integrity of their/our redeemed innocence.
Romans announces the truth about the restoration of the Christians original identity and reflection of redeemed innocence!
Walking in the spirit;
We are not of this world, through this restoration to our original identity and redeemed innocence we should not just feel called but compelled to walk away from the carnal man but driven to shed the constraints of this physical life. I am pressing in to see what God has for me. I want more than this life has to offer. Daily it is a process to walk away from sin and into my pre-Adam relationship with God. God has now spoiled me with his grace.
I was driving my daughter to a babysitting job yesterday and it’s about 18 miles one way. On the way there people were trying my Christianity. I seem to be a magnet for yahoo drivers, why am I the guy that people feel lead to cut off? My road rage-omoter was being put to test. I was about 8 mikes from home driving up to the 71 and150th intersection when a mini van pulls out of Sonic cutting across two lanes directly in front of me bringing me from 45 mph to 15 mph with a slam of the brakes. I veerwd into the right lane and cruised by him and my indignation was rising. When suddenly I heard a voice speaking “what world are you in?” Immediately my anger left and put myself into the mindset of “I want to be in original identity. ”
This original identity redeemed innocence is mind blowing.
I walked into church with the above percolating in me. Lloyd Rindels started out in Colossians 3 and was speaking on the new covenant that this grace we are to walk into. I feel it ties into this.
Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
I died with Christ my real life is hidden IN Him! I died to the sin life I am daily waking to this new reality, this new freedom.
God redeem my life, free me to see in the spirit, I want to die to me.
Philippians 1:21 NIV
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Colossians 1:3-6 NLT
This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.