Andrea

Sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, enjoying family, dogs & maybe a cat, building a life worth living.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

Amen! Our living Hope Salvation.

[PaulsCorner-VerseQuest @TNTJohn1717]

Christ Our Hope in a Hopeless Age

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;” — 1 Timothy 1:1

Paul opens 1 Timothy with a phrase that the modern world desperately needs and modern religion keeps trying to replace: “Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.” Not one of our hopes. Not part of our hope. Not the mascot of our hope. Not the religious symbol that helps us keep hope alive while we actually trust politics, money, therapy, self-esteem, reform, education, science, medicine, tradition, or human progress. Paul says the Lord Jesus Christ “is our hope.” That is personal. That is doctrinal. That is exclusive. That is final. The believer’s hope is not an idea floating somewhere in religious fog. The believer’s hope is a Person. He has a name, a title, a throne, a finished work, a resurrection, a promise, a body, a voice, a return, and a glory. His name is the Lord Jesus Christ.

The world is a hope factory with broken machinery. Every generation manufactures a new promise, paints it bright, hangs lights around it, sells it to desperate people, and then acts surprised when it collapses like every other idol. Politics promises deliverance, and then the rulers die, lie, compromise, age, betray, or get replaced by worse men. Money promises security, and then markets shake, thieves steal, bodies decay, and death walks through the locked gate. Self-esteem promises inner strength, and then guilt, sin, fear, loneliness, lust, bitterness, and mortality laugh in its face. Therapy promises relief, and while there may be practical help in counsel for certain burdens, no couch can wash away sin, raise the dead, justify the ungodly, or reconcile a man to God. Religion promises structure, ceremony, identity, and tradition, but if Christ is not the life of it, religion is just a decorated coffin. Earthly reform promises a better world, but every reformer eventually discovers that the problem is not merely in the system; it is in the sinner.

That is why Paul’s wording is so powerful. He does not write from a palace with a comfortable life and a soft religious theory. Paul knew beatings, prisons, shipwrecks, slander, betrayal, hunger, danger, loneliness, and the burden of the churches. He was not selling shallow optimism. He was not telling people to “stay positive.” He was not offering a motivational slogan. He says Christ is our hope because everything else is too small, too weak, too temporary, too corruptible, and too late. The Lord Jesus Christ is hope because He conquered sin, death, hell, the grave, and the devil. He is hope because He saves sinners. He is hope because He gives eternal life. He is hope because He is coming again. He is hope because the promises of God are sure in Him. He is hope because He does not merely improve the present age; He will replace it with His own righteous rule. In a hopeless age, hope is not found by looking around. Hope is found by looking unto Jesus Christ.

Chapter One: The World’s Hopes Are Too Small for the Human Ruin

Man keeps inventing hopes because he cannot escape the fact that he is ruined. He may deny sin, rename sin, medicate sin, legalize sin, celebrate sin, philosophize sin, politicize sin, and entertain himself to avoid sin, but sin still stands there with a shovel at the graveyard. The trouble with man is not merely that his environment is bad, his opportunities are limited, his education is incomplete, or his political system is inefficient. The trouble is that he is a sinner. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” That is the diagnosis no earthly hope can cure. A man can get a better job and still be lost. He can get a degree and still be lost. He can get elected and still be lost. He can get sober, disciplined, respected, wealthy, admired, and religious, and still be lost. The human problem goes deeper than circumstances.

That is why earthly hopes always

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

I do not believe that most women are pushing for women as senior pastors or headship over the church.

They’re asking for the same standard of judgment applied to women to be applied first and more rigorously to the men who lead.

When unqualified male religious leaders see a woman step forward, they throw her down before the crowd and declare:

“Lord, it is written: ‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man’” (1 Timothy 2:11–12).

They stand ready with stones, waiting for Jesus’ approval to eject her. But the Lord, knowing their hypocrisy, says:

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7).

Most of religious leaders fail the Bible’s own qualifications:

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife… one that ruleth well his own house… (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:2–5; Titus 1:5–9).

Many have multiple divorces, affairs, or failed households,

yet they preach God’s love while demanding male headship.

They strut in $5,000 wardrobes, live in mansions, and drive luxury cars while ignoring Jesus’ words: “l

“The Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

The one verse they all agree on is the one used to silence women.

Scripture warns that women ruling is often a sign of judgment on failed male leadership:

“As for my people… women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err” (Isaiah 3:12).

This is not about female arrogance or women fault for the Fallen church,

It means when men abandon submission to Christ and lead wickedly, the Lord may use women to expose and shame the failure, not by pointing fingers and name calling, but by gifting her the wisdom to preach and teach.

so in His gifting, the house of God can be restored in humility and truth.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

Remove the unqualified men first!

It starts with the men, God always begins with the men first.

Creation Adam first
Eve ate first, but God, “Adam where are you?”

If the unqualified men were removed from podium first, women would not have been an issue.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

1”It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”……………

5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

Instead of remaining silent with those male leaders among you that have and are grotesquely sinning against God, they should have been removed and no longer be treated like one of the believers.

Let those men suffer real life consequences for their actions and if these men leaders by pass Gods word just bc they sit at the enemies table and come into agreement to remove the women first then all in agreement with the enemy will be treated as the enemy of God.

Judgement is Coming!

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

It starts with the men, God always begins with the men first.

Creation Adam first
Eve ate first, but God, “Adam where are you?”

If the unqualified men were removed from podium first, women would not have been an issue.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

1”It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”……………

5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

Instead of remaining silent with those male leaders among you that have and are grotesquely sinning against God, they should have been removed and no longer be treated like one of the believers.

Let those men suffer real life consequences for their actions and if these men leaders by pass Gods word just bc they sit at the enemies table and come into agreement to remove the women first then all in agreement with the enemy will be treated as the enemy of God.

Judgement is Coming!

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

Remove the unqualified men first!

It starts with the men, God always begins with the men first.

Creation Adam first
Eve ate first, but God, “Adam where are you?”

If the unqualified men were removed from podium first, women would not have been an issue.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

1”It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”……………

5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

Instead of remaining silent with those male leaders among you that have and are grotesquely sinning against God, they should have been removed and no longer be treated like one of the believers.

Let those men suffer real life consequences for their actions and if these men leaders by pass Gods word just bc they sit at the enemies table and come into agreement to remove the women first then all in agreement with the enemy will be treated as the enemy of God.

Judgement is Coming!

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

It starts with the men, God always begins with the men first.

Creation Adam first
Eve ate first, but God, “Adam where are you?”

If the unqualified men were removed from podium first, women would not have been an issue.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

1”It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”……………

5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

Instead of remaining silent with those male leaders among you that have and are grotesquely sinning against God, they should have been removed and no longer be treated like one of the believers.

Let those men suffer real life consequences for their actions and if these men leaders by pass Gods word just bc they sit at the enemies table and come into agreement to remove the women first then all in agreement with the enemy will be treated as the enemy of God.

Judgement is Coming!

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

It starts with the men, God always begins with the men first.

Creation Adam first
Eve ate first, but God, “Adam where are you?”

If the unqualified men were removed from podium first, women would not have been an issue.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

1”It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”……………

5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

Instead of remaining silent with those male leaders among you that have and are grotesquely sinning against God, they should have been removed and no longer be treated like one of the believers.

Let those men suffer real life consequences for their actions and if these men leaders by pass Gods word just bc they sit at the enemies table and come into agreement to remove the women first then all in agreement with the enemy will be treated as the enemy of God.

Judgement is Coming!

[Matey @MateyYanakiev]

@TheGoodLife70 @virgilwalker It’s possible God is doing some in-house shaming, but we’re talking about *normalizing* the female pastorate.

There is no need to “correct” for things—many, I agree, need to be corrected—by bearing false witness regarding the Scriptures and endorsing a norm that isn’t normal.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

It starts with the men, God always begins with the men first.

Creation Adam first
Eve ate first, but God, “Adam where are you?”

If the unqualified men were removed from podium first, women would not have been an issue.

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

1”It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.”……………

5 To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

Instead of remaining silent with those male leaders among you that have and are grotesquely sinning against God, they should have been removed and no longer be treated like one of the believers.

Let those men suffer real life consequences for their actions and if these men leaders by pass Gods word just bc they sit at the enemies table and come into agreement to remove the women first then all in agreement with the enemy will be treated as the enemy of God.

Judgement is Coming!

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

Remove the unqualified men first!

Most women aren’t primarily pushing for women as senior pastors or headship over the church.

They’re asking for the same standard of judgment applied to women to be applied first and more rigorously to the men who lead.

When unqualified male religious leaders see a woman step forward, they throw her down before the crowd and declare:

“Lord, it is written: ‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man’” (1 Timothy 2:11–12).

They stand ready with stones, waiting for Jesus’ approval to eject her. But the Lord, knowing their hypocrisy, says:

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7).

Most of religious leaders fail the Bible’s own qualifications:

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife… one that ruleth well his own house… (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:2–5; Titus 1:5–9).

Many have multiple divorces, affairs, or failed households,

yet they preach God’s love while demanding male headship.

They strut in $5,000 wardrobes, live in mansions, and drive luxury cars while ignoring Jesus’ words: “l

“The Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

The one verse they all agree on is the one used to silence women.

Scripture warns that women ruling is often a sign of judgment on failed male leadership:

“As for my people… women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err” (Isaiah 3:12).

This is not about female arrogance or women fault for the Fallen church,

It means when men abandon submission to Christ and lead wickedly, the Lord may use women to expose and shame the failure, not by pointing fingers and name calling, but by gifting her the wisdom to preach and teach.

so in His gifting, the house of God can be restored in humility and truth.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

Most women aren’t primarily pushing for women as senior pastors or headship over the church.

They’re asking for the same standard of judgment applied to women to be applied first and more rigorously to the men who lead.

When unqualified male religious leaders see a woman step forward, they throw her down before the crowd and declare:

“Lord, it is written: ‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man’” (1 Timothy 2:11–12).

They stand ready with stones, waiting for Jesus’ approval to eject her. But the Lord, knowing their hypocrisy, says:

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7).

Most of religious leaders fail the Bible’s own qualifications:

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife… one that ruleth well his own house… (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:2–5; Titus 1:5–9).

Many have multiple divorces, affairs, or failed households,

yet they preach God’s love while demanding male headship.

They strut in $5,000 wardrobes, live in mansions, and drive luxury cars while ignoring Jesus’ words: “l

“The Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

The one verse they all agree on is the one used to silence women.

Scripture warns that women ruling is often a sign of judgment on failed male leadership:

“As for my people… women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err” (Isaiah 3:12).

This is not about female arrogance or women fault for the Fallen church,

It means when men abandon submission to Christ and lead wickedly, the Lord may use women to expose and shame the failure, not by pointing fingers and name calling, but by gifting her the wisdom to preach and teach.

so in His gifting, the house of God can be restored in humility and truth.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

Most women aren’t primarily pushing for women as senior pastors or headship over the church.

They’re asking for the same standard of judgment applied to women to be applied first and more rigorously to the men who lead.

When unqualified male religious leaders see a woman step forward, they throw her down before the crowd and declare:

“Lord, it is written: ‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man’” (1 Timothy 2:11–12).

They stand ready with stones, waiting for Jesus’ approval to eject her. But the Lord, knowing their hypocrisy, says:

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7).

Most of religious leaders fail the Bible’s own qualifications:

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife… one that ruleth well his own house… (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:2–5; Titus 1:5–9).

Many have multiple divorces, affairs, or failed households,

yet they preach God’s love while demanding male headship.

They strut in $5,000 wardrobes, live in mansions, and drive luxury cars while ignoring Jesus’ words: “l

“The Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

The one verse they all agree on is the one used to silence women.

Scripture warns that women ruling is often a sign of judgment on failed male leadership:

“As for my people… women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err” (Isaiah 3:12).

This is not about female arrogance or women fault for the Fallen church,

It means when men abandon submission to Christ and lead wickedly, the Lord may use women to expose and shame the failure, not by pointing fingers and name calling, but by gifting her the wisdom to preach and teach.

so in His gifting, the house of God can be restored in humility and truth.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

Most women aren’t primarily pushing for women as senior pastors or headship over the church.

They’re asking for the same standard of judgment applied to women to be applied first and more rigorously to the men who lead.

When unqualified male religious leaders see a woman step forward, they throw her down before the crowd and declare:

“Lord, it is written: ‘Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man’” (1 Timothy 2:11–12).

They stand ready with stones, waiting for Jesus’ approval to eject her. But the Lord, knowing their hypocrisy, says:

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7).

Most of religious leaders fail the Bible’s own qualifications:

“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife… one that ruleth well his own house… (for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)” (1 Timothy 3:2–5; Titus 1:5–9).

Many have multiple divorces, affairs, or failed households,

yet they preach God’s love while demanding male headship.

They strut in $5,000 wardrobes, live in mansions, and drive luxury cars while ignoring Jesus’ words: “l

“The Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20).

The one verse they all agree on is the one used to silence women.

Scripture warns that women ruling is often a sign of judgment on failed male leadership:

“As for my people… women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err” (Isaiah 3:12).

This is not about female arrogance or women fault for the Fallen church,

It means when men abandon submission to Christ and lead wickedly, the Lord may use women to expose and shame the failure, not by pointing fingers and name calling, but by gifting her the wisdom to preach and teach.

so in His gifting, the house of God can be restored in humility and truth.

[CNN @CNN]

Thousands of Southern Baptists overwhelmingly voted to advance a formal ban on women pastors in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. https://t.co/5zGM31qiYv

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

If we’re upholding biblical standards for church leadership, start with the men.

Remove all male leaders who don’t qualify.

Scripture is clear:

An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife… not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with his children submissive.” (1 Timothy 3:2-5; Titus 1:5-9)

Remove men with known affairs, unbiblical divorces, unruly children, poor household management, uncontrolled tempers, abuse, or who protect predators.

“Managing the household” refers to raising responsible older children, not toddlers. So remove young pastors with young family.

Remove those getting rich from the gospel:

lavish lifestyles, luxury cars, expensive suits, pressuring for tithes and stocks, or promoting their own books and branded Bibles.

Remove nepotism, elevating unqualified sons, nephews, or friends.

First remove the planks from the church, then you be able to see clearly and remove the spec of the women.

Remember Adam and Eve:

Eve ate first, but God called, “Adam, where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).

God holds men accountable.

If men refuse to clean house and remove the unqualified men first, then don’t be surprised when God raises women to preach and teach to shame the failing male leadership.

Do not put God the test.

God judges pastors more strictly and starts with His own house first.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

If we’re upholding biblical standards for church leadership, start with the men.

Remove all male leaders who don’t qualify.

Scripture is clear:

An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife… not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with his children submissive.” (1 Timothy 3:2-5; Titus 1:5-9)

Remove men with known affairs, unbiblical divorces, unruly children, poor household management, uncontrolled tempers, abuse, or who protect predators.

“Managing the household” refers to raising responsible older children, not toddlers. So remove young pastors with young family.

Remove those getting rich from the gospel:

lavish lifestyles, luxury cars, expensive suits, pressuring for tithes and stocks, or promoting their own books and branded Bibles.

Remove nepotism, elevating unqualified sons, nephews, or friends.

First remove the planks from the church, then you be able to see clearly and remove the spec of the women.

Remember Adam and Eve:

Eve ate first, but God called, “Adam, where are you?” (Genesis 3:9).

God holds men accountable.

If men refuse to clean house and remove the unqualified men first, then don’t be surprised when God raises women to preach and teach to shame the failing male leadership.

Do not put God the test.

God judges pastors more strictly and starts with His own house first.

[Grumpy 🇺🇸🇮🇱🇺🇦 @SameOldNancy]

@w_bitterman I don't think the SBC is "frightened" or "afraid" of women preaching. I just think they want to be biblical and true to what the Bible has to say on the issue.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

Fun Fact:

Beach reads have Victorian roots

The idea of light, enjoyable “summer reading” exploded in the late 1800s w/railroads & vacations.

People escaped cities to the coast, & publishers created fun novels

Macy’s shipped books straight to your vacation spot in the 1870s!

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

You are correct.

religion is made by men and taught by men.

Religion is not God, God is God, and religion is not.

But in Jesus Christ, the crucified and risen One, we have the only faith where God Himself entered our world as a man. Jesus, fully God and fully man, became the perfect sinless sacrifice that reconciled humanity to the Father.

Because of what Jesus had done upon that cross, now anyone, anyone who comes to the Father in prayer has access to the Father because of Christ work.

Through His life, death, and resurrection, God’s story is fully revealed so that anyone can receive Him by faith and be saved.

Jesus offers the only account of death and resurrection attested by hundreds of eyewitnesses.

The apostle Paul specifically notes that the risen Jesus appeared to more than five hundred people at one time, most of whom were still alive when he wrote (1 Corinthians 15:6).

Many religions add their own work or requirements for salvation, yet the gospel about Jesus Christ declares we are saved by God’s amazing grace through Christ alone.

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

I just like to add thought to this comment:

Most people living apart from God do not truly realize they are sinners.

They may hear the words from religious people, but the meaning barely registers.

The prodigal son only came to this realization in his lowest moment.

Luke 15:17 (KJV)
“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”

Many today are trapped in broken relationships, repeated breakups, financial ruin, unresolved anger, deep hurt, self-pity, alcoholism, overeating, gambling, or other destructive patterns.

They know they cannot change on their own and are exhausted by the same endless cycle. In desperation, they finally look up and cry out to God.

It is when they run back to the Father’s house and are truly embraced that they truly recognize the depth of their sin.

This is why the Parable of the Sower is so important. The seed falls on different types of ground, and the response varies:

• Some receive temporary relief and, once they feel better, drift back to their old life.
• Others walk away as soon as the excitement fades or they stop getting what they want.
• But some remain. They walk the faith walk, trusting God through it all, because they remember what life was like without Him.

They fully recognize the salvation they received when they could not save themselves.

These believers stay rooted in Christ through seasons of heat, drought, and apparent barrenness.

They drive their roots deeper.

And in the end, when the Lord calls them to rise, their lives display His glory, like an evergreen tree that never stops flourishing and is always green.

Psalm 92:13-14 (KJV)
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”

[Andrea @TheGoodLife70]

I just like to add thought to this comment:

Most people living apart from God do not truly realize they are sinners.

They may hear the words from religious people, but the meaning barely registers.

The prodigal son only came to this realization in his lowest moment.

Luke 15:17 (KJV)
“And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”

Many today are trapped in broken relationships, repeated breakups, financial ruin, unresolved anger, deep hurt, self-pity, alcoholism, overeating, gambling, or other destructive patterns.

They know they cannot change on their own and are exhausted by the same endless cycle. In desperation, they finally look up and cry out to God.

It is when they run back to the Father’s house and are truly embraced that they truly recognize the depth of their sin.

This is why the Parable of the Sower is so important. The seed falls on different types of ground, and the response varies:

• Some receive temporary relief and, once they feel better, drift back to their old life.
• Others walk away as soon as the excitement fades or they stop getting what they want.
• But some remain. They walk the faith walk, trusting God through it all, because they remember what life was like without Him.

They fully recognize the salvation they received when they could not save themselves.

These believers stay rooted in Christ through seasons of heat, drought, and apparent barrenness.

They drive their roots deeper.

And in the end, when the Lord calls them to rise, their lives display His glory, like an evergreen tree that never stops flourishing and is always green.

Psalm 92:13-14 (KJV)
“Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”

[Trevor Sheatz @TrevorSheatz]

If someone asks you how you became a Christian and your answer is, "I was raised in a Christian home," you should really examine yourself to see if you're truly saved.

Saving faith only comes when you genuinely realize you're a sinner who can only be saved by Jesus Christ.