Notre Dame fire

For the past 2 days many of us have followed updates on the tragic fire at the 850-year old Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.  I’ve had a fascination with France and the French language since 2004, while I was still in High School, and French was one of my main subjects for 3 years when I completed my degree.  Combined with my love for history and historic places, this tragedy has touched my heart, and I am saddened that I will never get to visit this amazing architectural wonder in its original form.

Yet, for the past 2 days I have been constantly reminded of Scriptures as I followed the news.  In sharing this, I don’t wish to belittle this tragedy in any way, or imply that it’s insignificant or that God doesn’t care about it.  I believe He cares.  These Bible verses have simply quite significantly come to my mind as I followed the progress of this event, and I hope it will encourage each one reading it.

For someone who has never visited France or the Notre Dame before, some of the photos that I saw online seemed unidentifiable, without enough context.  Until I saw this photo above.  As I saw the landmark Eiffel Tower in the background, smoke rolling up into the sky, I was reminded of the following Scripture:

“Yet the Most High does not dwell in houses made by hands, as the prophet says, ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. What kind of house will you build for me, says the Lord, or what is the place of my rest?  Did not my hand make all these things?’ ”
~ Acts 7:48-50 ~

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man…”
~ Act 17:24 ~

What a terrible state we would be in if our amazing Creator-God was limited to living in man-made buildings?  My mind keeps thinking that, if my God had been limited to houses made by human hands, this 850-year old cathedral might have been a quite significant house for Him.

But He doesn’t.

God is the Creator of each tree that had been used as beams in the Notre Dame, each stone and the iron from which the nails were made.  He created the humans who planned and built it, and gave each of them the inspiration and talents to do it.

But He is omnipresent – everywhere at every moment, intimately involved in everything and every person He created.  He lives in Heaven and everywhere on Earth, and everywhere in between.  (See Acts 7 above.)  He lives in us when we accept Him and He stays (“dwells”) with us when we open the doors of our lives to Him. (Revelation 3:20)  He gives us His Holy Spirit to help us wherever we go.

No, my God is not limited to buildings, how impressive they may be.

“Only what’s done for Christ will last…”

This picture started circulating shortly after the fire had been put out, with plenty of inspiration going with it.  It reminded me of a poem by C.T. Studd, by the name of Only One Life.  The final two lines of each stanza throughout the poem is:

Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 3:9-17 that we are God’s temples.  See the picture above as a spiritual picture, and as you read the Scripture below, keep in mind that it’s not a reflection on the physical building of the Notre Dame, but that the above photo is a picture of God’s spiritual Truth:

“… ye are God’s building.  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon.  But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:  but he himself shall be saved;  yet so as by fire.  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”

It’s a hard Word to read this morning.  We each have the responsibility to take care of God’s Holy temple – ourselves:  body, soul and spirit – and to live a life that will withstand the test of time.  If our lives are not filled with acts of kindness, love, compassion and forgiveness – just like Jesus showed us through His Life – we might be saved and in heaven with Him one day, but leaving no legacy of the One Who saved us for future generations.

I do believe that the builders of the Notre Dame built something that withstood the test of time.  A building that stood for 850 years is very, very impressive, and no small feat!  But what is left in the ruins points us to God Who came down to die for His creation, suffering incredible damage to His Body so that, after the fire, we may live eternally in a city made of pure gold, with our very Creator.

As we see more of the Notre Dame fire in the news, may you be reminded of the Cross that withstood the test of all time, and the love of your Saviour that suffered death and hell to spend eternity with you.

If it’s Amazing Grace

There comes a time when we all take a breath,
admit who we are, with all our mess;
stand there and tremble and hope for the best –
knowing it’s out of our hands…

But if it’s Amazing Grace, let it do what it does:
it can reach far beyond anything we have done!
Truth is, there’s just some things that cannot be explained…
It’s gonna find a way if it’s Amazing Grace.

Many before us have stood on that ledge –
arguments filling their hearts and their heads
to only discover that it’s all been true:
that it can make anyone new!

Chorus

It crashes through darkness;  shatters our shame!
We can run all we want, it keeps calling our names…
It’s strong and relentless;  full of forgiveness;
No depth it won’t go, just to save…

But if it’s Amazing Grace, let it do what it does:
it can reach far beyond anything we have done!
Truth is, there’s just some things that cannot be explained…
It’s gonna find a way if it’s Amazing Grace;
it’s gonna find a way if it’s Amazing Grace –
I know my heart’s been changed by this Amazing Grace.

~ Written by:  Chris Cleveland, Michael Farren & Seth Mosley
Performed by:  Stars Go Dim ~

Majesty (Here I am)

Here I am, humbled by Your Majesty…
covered by Your grace so free.  (Eph. 2:8)
Here I am, knowing I’m a sinful man,  (Rom. 3:23)
covered by the Blood of the Lamb…  (Eph. 1:7, 1 John 1:7, 1 Peter 4:8)

Now I’ve found the greatest love of all is mine  (John 15:13)
since You laid down Your life:  the greatest sacrifice!

Majesty, Majesty…
Your grace has found me just as I am:
empty handed, but alive in Your hands.  (John 10:29)

Here I am humbled by the love that You give;  (1 John 4:19, Rom. 5:8)
forgiven so that I can forgive.  (Col. 3:13, Matt. 6:14)
So here I stand, knowing that I’m Your desire,  (Job 14:15)
sanctified by glory and fire.  (1 Pet. 4:12)

Now I’ve found the greatest love of all is mine
since you laid down your life:  the greatest sacrifice!

Majesty, Majesty…
Your grace has found me just as I am:
empty handed, but alive in Your hands.
Majesty, Majesty…
Forever I am changed by Your love
in the presence of Your Majesty… Majesty…

[Instrumental]

Majesty, Majesty!
Your grace has found me just as I am:
and I’m nothing, but alive in Your hands.  (Isaiah 40:17; read in context!*)
Majesty, Majesty!
Forever I am changed by Your love
in the beauty of Your Majesty…

~ Written by:  Stu Gerrard & Martin Smith
Performed by:  Delirious? ~

* Footnote about Isaiah 40:17

The Book of Isaiah is filled with Scriptures that declares God’s Almighty Sovereignty, and His righteousness in contrast with our sinfulness.  I absolutely love this book in the Bible, because woven throughout the text that shows us how big our God is, are amazingly beautiful verses that describe how much He loves us, particularly from Isaiah 40 onward.  Below are a few of these examples, all to be read in context, but such beautiful declarations of Almighty God’s love for His children (Gal. 3:27-29, Col. 3:10-11):

“But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee…” Is. 41:8-10, 13

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, o Jacob, and He that formed thee, o Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine…” Is. 43:1

“Yet now hear, o Jacob my servant: and Israel, whom I have chosen: Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, o Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen…” Is. 44:1-2

“Remember these, o Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: o Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee…” Is. 44:21-22
(This passage actually reminds me of the story of Hosea, who redeemed (bought) the prostitute woman and loved her in spite of her turning back to her old ways.)

“Thus saith the LORD to His anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden… I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight… For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.” Is. 45:1-2, 4) (See Romans 5:8 & 1 John 4:19 above)

“Hearken unto me, o house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, which are borne by me from the belly, which are carried from the womb: And even to your old age I am He; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” Is. 46:3-4

“Sing, o heavens; and be joyful, o earth; and break forth into singing, o mountains: for the LORD hath comforted His people, and will have mercy upon His afflicted. But Zion said, The LORD hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before me.” Is. 49:13-16

“For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is His Name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; the God of the whole earth shall He be called. For the LORD hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God. For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid My face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.” Is. 54:5-8

Boldly I approach (The art of celebration)

“Let us therefore come boldly (with open hands) unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” ~ Hebrews 4:16 ~

By grace alone somehow I stand
where even angels fear to tread…
Invited by redeeming love,
before the throne of God above.

He pulls me close with nail-scarred hands
into His everlasting arms!

When condemnation grips my heart,
and satan tempts me to despair,
I hear the voice that scatters fear –
The Great I Am The Lord is here!

Oh praise the One Who fights for me
and shields my soul eternally!

Boldly I approach your throne…
Blameless now I’m running home!
By Your Blood I come,
welcomed as Your own…
into the arms of Majesty!

Behold the bright and risen Son:
more beauty than this world has known!
I’m face to face with Love Himself –
His perfect spotless righteousness!

Oh, a thousand years, a thousand tongues
are not enough to sing His praise!

Chorus

This is the art of celebration: (oh, joy in my heart)
knowing were free from condemnation! (I’m blameless now!)
Oh, praise the One, praise the One,
Who made an end to all my sins!

There is no condemnation in You,
we are blameless before Your throne!

Chorus

~ Written by: Gareth Gilkeson, Chris Llewellyn
Performed by: Rend Collective
Album: The Art of Celebration ~

Why we never need to worry

The past couple of months, I’ve learned an amazing truth.  I hope this will mean something to someone else, too! 

I loved my grandmother.  I sent her letters the old-fashioned way, visited her in the old age home during holidays, spent hours paging through her photo albums with her, and eventually many more hours making her a special light-weight album with old and recent pictures of her offspring, when the old albums became too heavy for her to lift.  I loved my grandmother dearly.  I used to start crying just at the thought that she might one day die… although I knew that she was already deep in her 80’s and that we had to treasure every moment together.  I prayed many prayers that she would live to see my children, and took lots of photos when we were together.  I couldn’t imagine my life without her, and my heart broke at the thought of ever having to say goodbye. 

One Saturday morning in July this year, I had the phone call I dread so much.  She had gone to be with her Saviour in the most gentle way imaginable.  She had still been relatively healthy, and this was completely unexpected.  She had phoned just 2 days before, to congratulate my husband’s completed university degree. 

I cried a lot.  Especially when I phoned my mom later that morning.  But I experienced an amazing truth during that time, and still every time I miss her:  God’s grace is new every morning, every day, in every MOMENT…  and THAT is the reason we get through difficult times, looking back and wondering how we could ever cope. 

In Jesus’s famous Sermon in the Mount (Matthew 6:34, KJV), He said the following:

“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Compare that to Lamentations 3:22-23, which says, 

“It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.”

The reason we can cope with life’s most difficult challenges, is because God gives us, every day, enough mercy, grace and compassion for the day.  He KNOWS what lies ahead for us, He KNOWS what we need…  It says so in the few verses preceding Jesus’s words quoted above:

30 “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.”  (Matthew 6) 

One of the greatest challenges I can imagine is coping after your house burned down in a fire.  I’ve often prayed that such a thing will never happen to me or my loved ones.  Yet, I know that when such a terrible thing happens, people find strength to cope, somehow…  I now understand why – because God’s grace is there with them in that moment, an unseen Hand carrying them through the difficult time.  Oh, imagine if we could SEE our loving Father and Saviour’s protection, strength and Presence with us!! 

I am so grateful that God gives more than ENOUGH mercy, grace, strength and compassionate love for what we need every moment.  

This is why we never need to be worried:  God WILL be there in that moment you’re scared of, dreading, or worried about, with ENOUGH of what you need to carry you through.  I hope this will encourage you today!! 

2 Corinthians 12:8-10, KJV

8 “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And He said unto me, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”

© blessedbeyondmeasure3.wordpress.com 

Flawless

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjLlLPZderk

There’s got to be more than going back and forth
from doing right to doing wrong  (Romans 7)
‘cause we were taught that’s who we are…
Come on, get in line right behind me –
you along with everybody
thinking there’s worth in what you do…  (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Then like a Hero Who takes the stage when
we’re on the edge of our seats saying, “It’s too late…”
Well, let me introduce you to amazing grace…

No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises,
no matter the scars;  still the truth is:
the Cross has made, the Cross has made you flawless!

No matter the hurt or how deep the wound is,
no matter the pain;  still the truth is:
the Cross has made, the Cross has made you flawless!

Could it possibly be that we simply can’t believe
that this unconditional kind of love would be enough
to take a filthy wretch like this  (Romans 7:24)
and wrap him up in righteousness?  (2 Corinthians 5:21)
But that’s exactly what He did!

Chorus

Take a breath smile and say:
“Right here, right now, I’m OK, because
the Cross was enough…”

And like a Hero who takes the stage when
we’re on the edge of our seats saying, “It’s too late…”
Well, let me introduce you to grace, grace, God’s grace…

Chorus

No matter what they say or what you think you are,
the day you called His Name He made you flawless!

~ Performed by:  MercyMe
Written by:  Bart Millard, Mike Scheuchzer, Nathan Cochran, Robby Shaffer; Barry Graul; Solomon Olds; David Garcia; Ben Glover ~

Ephesians 2:8-10
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:  old things are passed away;  behold, all things are become new.  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ… reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them… For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin;  that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”

John 19:30
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, “It is finished“: and He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost.”

Further Scripture reading

Here’s my heart, LORD

Here’s my heart, Lord [x3]
Speak what is true

I am found, I am Yours (Luke 15:4-10, John 17:9)
I am loved, I’m made pure (John 15:9, 1 John 1:7)
I have life, I can breathe (John 6:47, John 10:10, Genesis 2:7)
I am healed, I am free (Isaiah 53:5, Psalms 147:3, Romans 6:22, Galatians 5:1)

You are strong, You are sure (Isaiah 40:26, Psalm 73:26, Isaiah 28:16 [1 Peter 2:6)
You are life, You endure (John 14:6, Psalm 102:12)
You are good, always true (Psalm 100:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:9, 1 John 5:20)
You are light breaking through (John 8:12, John 9:5)

You are more than enough (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)
You are here, You are love (Matthew 1:23, 1 John 4:8)
You are hope, You are grace (1 Timothy 1:1, John 1:14&17)
You’re all I have, You’re everything (Ephesians 1:21-23)

Here’s my life, Lord [x3]
Speak what is true

~ Written by:  Chris Tomlin, Jason Ingram, Louie Giglio
Performed by:  (David) Crowder ~

Picture source:  http://yes-iamredeemed.tumblr.com/post/81696354516

The greatest story

Some days your own resolve is strong, and other days you bend…
It’s two steps forward, one step back and a stumble now and then.
You wonder if you’ll ever really make the difference you’ve prayed that you will
Well, I know that prayer will be fulfilled
’cause…

Your life, woven day by day,
is a new design of the glory God displays
on the canvas of creation,
through the poem of history;
in the pattern of redemption
running through the tapestry…
Your life in Christ can be
the greatest story ever told!

You cannot see the hands of God or feel the grace that flows
from Him through you to those you touch in ways you’ll never know…
You cannot measure worth by human standards – that’s always a lie:
oh, you have to see through heaven’s Eyes
how…

Your life, woven day by day,
is a new design of the glory God displays
on the canvas of creation,
through the poem of history;
in the pattern of redemption
running through the tapestry…
Your life in Christ can be
the greatest story ever told!

In the light of eternity,
standing face to Face, you will finally see…
for the very first time you’ll understand
your perfect place in the Master’s plan
and how…

Your life, woven day by day,
is a new design of the glory God displays
on the canvas of creation,
through the poem of history;
in the pattern of redemption
running through the tapestry…
Your life in Christ can be
the greatest story ever told!

~ Written by:  Charlie Peacock & Douglas McKelvey
Performed by:  Avalon ~

It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Sunday
~Written and performed by: Tree63 ~

(Although we are now suffering in this temporal world, eternity and its glory is coming!)

Behind the Song:
“This song was originally titled “Friday (but Sunday is coming),” from the title of the well-known sermon and book by Tony Campolo. Its verses deal with the dark realities of our world, where the Friday of Jesus’ crucifixion acts as a metaphor for our experiences of those realities. As the Gospel stories clearly show, Friday happens, but Sunday is inevitable. Sunday is the resurrection, the day when all our meager hopes and wildest dreams come true, the day we as believers look forward to despite our present condition. This is a “hang in there” song; Sunday is not so far away!” – John Ellis (Tree 63)

Lyrics:
Nothing’s sacred, the days are cheap;
Truth is thin on the ground…
Still our prophets are crucified,
nobody believes: we’re stumbling…
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Someone’s saying a prayer tonight
for hungry mouths to be filled.
Someone kneels in the dark somewhere,
and darkness is already crumbling…
It’s Friday, but Sunday comes!

Sunday – Hallelujah! – it’ s not so far, it’s not so far away…
Sunday – Hallelujah! – it’s not so far, it’s not so far away!

Broken promises, weary hearts,
but one promise remains:
Crucified, He will come again!
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming;
It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!

Chorus

2 Corinthians 4:8-18
8  We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;  9  Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  10  Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.  12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.  13  We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;  14  Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.  15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.  16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.  17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;  18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

The Author & Finisher of our Faith

We, as humans, think that we should balance out our bad deeds with good deeds.  Mentally, we keep “record” of the bad things we have done, and then we try to balance it out by doing some good deeds in an effort to justify ourselves.

The Bible does say that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20) and that “by works a man is justified, and not by faith only” (James 2:24).  Further reading of this passage reveals the example of Abraham, who believed, and the works that he did followed his faith in God’s instructions and provision (Genesis 22:1-14, Hebrews 11:19).  The “works” mentioned in the Book of James are NOT trying to justify ourselves in God’s eyes through “good deeds”.  The Bible is clear that “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6), and that we are only “justified by His blood” (Romans 5:9), the Blood that Jesus Christ shed for us on the cross at Calvary.  (See also Hebrews 9:22, 1 Peter 1:18-19.)  God wants our works to be done out of our love for Him, doing good deeds to other people because we want to please our LORD (not justify ourselves), and reading the Bible and praying to God because we desire fellowship with our Creator.

As we sincerely desire a love relationship with Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us (Ephesians 5:25), He will work the good works in our hearts (Philippians 1:6 & 2:13).  We, as humans, like to try to be “in control”, DOING things to buy His favour.  This is not at all what He requires.  He wants us to LOVE Him, above all else.  (Luke 10:27)

This relationship between me and God was NOT initiated by me, or “earned” by any good thing I may have done.  His love for us, His mercy and grace, His kindness, is so great that the God of all the universe, the Creator of all things, desires a relationship with us – broken, frail, sinful human beings.

Our relationship with God (through Jesus Christ, our mediator) is from Him.  He is the One Who does the good works in our hearts and through us.  It was never about us – but it always has been and always will be about Jesus Christ, our God.  All the glory and honour is due to Him!  (Revelation 4:11)

1 John 4:19
We love Him, because He first loved us.

John 15:16
“Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My Name, He may give it you.” ~ Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 12:1-3
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Revelation 5:12
Saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”