3 Reasons You Need the Law Even Though It Can’t Possibly Save You

God makes it clear that keeping the Law cannot save you only Jesus can do that but the Law is an important guide for life that will bless you. #Commandments #BibleStudy #theLaw #Blessings

Are you a good person who does “good works”?

Are your good works good enough?

Even if salvation was based 99.9% on grace, you and I would find ourselves in a terrifying place. How would we ever know for sure that we had done our 0.1%?

There would always be a bit of doubt as we wondered if judgment and hell were daunting possibilities.

No matter how hard we try we cannot possibly follow the Law the way God demands…

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do.
Romans 8:3

The Law can’t save us, so the Father gave us Jesus, His greatest gift . . . a gift that has always been 100% an undeserved act of love. He made it possible for us to be saved by grace, through faith.

This means you and I have been promised that we can be completely confident—eternity with the Lord in Heaven is our future…

Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”
Galatians 2:16

So why do we even need the Law? Why don’t we just throw it out altogether?

3 Reasons We Need the Law Even Though it Can’t Save Us

It gives us a guide for living that protects and blesses us.
It shows us our sins and our need for forgiveness.
It moves us to repent and place our trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

We are saved by God’s grace because of His love. We want to obey Him as our grateful and loving response to all He has done for us.

A Prayer to Trust Jesus and Obey the Law

Father, Your grace, mercy, and love overwhelm me again.

Jesus Your love is beyond comprehension. You gave up the glories of heaven to live the perfect I am unable to live, to suffer the punishment I deserve, and the death the Law demands.

Spirit, You give me faith, making it possible for me to trust Jesus and obey the Law.

Lord God, You give me a future filled with hope. You give me courage and strength when life is hard. You give me peace even when I don’t understand what’s going on. You give me countless reasons to live each day with joy. You fight for me and lead me. You hold me close and comfort me when life is painful.

Lord, You keep every promise! I thank you for every blessing. I ask You to please forgive me for failing to follow Your commands the way You want me to. And I pray that You will continue to increase my faith and help me trust and obey Your will. I love You! I give myself to You. Please help me live every moment surrendered to Your grace, mercy, and love. Amen.

Stop today and celebrate just how much God loves you!

Praise Him for the Law that guides you, the forgiveness He mercifully offers and generously gives, and the countless blessings you have in and through Jesus.

Praise Him for His promises. Promises like:

For by grace you have been saved by faith. Nothing you did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the love gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.
Ephesians 2:8–9 (TPT)

On today’s note write:

The law can’t save but it guides me and praise God for Jesus who saves me!

May God bless you as you trust God’s love and live by faith.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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How God Will Give You Victory Over Your Thorn in the Flesh

8 / 16 / 218 / 17 / 21

There is a reason God did not want us to know Paul's specific thorn in the flesh . . . maybe it is so we can all relate and know God's greater power. #Godsgrace #BibleStudy #Blessings

I trimmed our rose bushes this morning and even though I wore gardening gloves, the thorns poked and scratched my hands and arms.

So, as I sat down to take a closer look at 2 Corinthians 12, I couldn’t help but think about what it meant for Paul to have some struggle that he referred to as a “thorn in my flesh.” Other translations call it a “painful problem, physical ailment, handicap, or condition.” All we know for certain from Paul’s words is that it was ongoing and humbling.

So that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself.
2 Corinthians 12:7b (CSB)

And it was difficult to call it a “messenger of Satan” . . . which has made many of us a little more than curious over the years. With a little research, you and I can quickly learn that countless theories abound but can never be proven because the Scriptures simply don’t say.

I believe the Holy Spirit was very intentional and purposeful in inspiring Paul to omit its specific identity.

Why? So you and I and every person who reads these words can identify with Paul. We can easily imagine it might have been the same “thorn” that torments us.

In our moments of relating to Paul’s problem we receive the same message of love, grace, and truth that he heard when he begged the Lord to take it away:

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8–10

When the Lord makes us strong in the midst of our weaknesses and problems, people see His grace, mercy, and love in us. They see the power of Christ Jesus at work in us and through us. They see the strength that enables us to do whatever He wills through whatever He allows.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13

A Prayer for Victory Over My Thorn in the Flesh

Father, I believe Your promises and I trust Your Word. I believe Your grace is sufficient to give me strength when life is hard and I feel weak. I believe You are the power I need when the thorn in my flesh feels like more than I can bear. I believe Your promise to give me everything I need when I SEEK You first.

Please forgive me for whining and complaining. Forgive me for giving in to my weakness and using it as an excuse. Forgive me for focusing on myself and my problems. I believe You give us what we need to love and help each other. I believe that You are greater than my circumstances. I believe . . . please forgive me and help me overcome my unbelief. (Mark 9:24) By the power of Your Spirit, please give me the strength I need to live in victory. Give me the courage I need to shine the light of Your love and humbly admit my weakness that everyone I meet might want to experience Your grace and mercy and love as well.

Fill my heart with Your love and my spirit with Your power, my mind with the peace that passes understanding, and my heart with faith and love. I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Today, as you take your personal “thorn in the flesh” to the Lord in prayer, remember . . . His grace is able to give you everything you need. His power works best through a weakness that has been surrendered to Him.

Give Him your thorns . . . physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual trusting that He will give you victory and through you many will see “the power of Christ at work through [you].” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

On today’s note write:

God will give me victory over my “thorn in the flesh”!

May God be with you today and help you surrender your weaknesses to Him that He might give you the power you need to overcome them for His glory.

Click here to read the rest of 2 Corinthians 12.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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How God Showed Me My Need for His Grace, Mercy, and Love

5 / 6 / 214 / 15 / 21

Sometimes people are so busy being church-going moral and "good" that they miss their need for God's grace, mercy, and love. Learn how God showed me the truth. #God'sLove #BibleStudy #Faith #CountingMyBlessings #Truth

I’ll never forget the moment I realized that I wasn’t an observer of Eve picking and taking a bite out of that piece of fruit that brought sin upon us all . . . I was guilty. I was Eve.

You see, I’d remembered a specific moment when the enemy had tempted me to doubt God’s goodness and act outside of His will for me. At the time, it didn’t seem like a big deal. In fact, most everyone thought my choices were good and honorable. But God wanted me to wait . . . and I didn’t trust His timing.

Years later, the Lord revealed the truth to me through a dream.

A dream where like Peter, I walked along the shore with Jesus.

And He asked me…

“Do you love me more than these?”
John 21:15b

I replied…

“Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”
John 21:16

Twice more He asked me and twice more I replied. And then I woke up with His words on my heart…

“Feed my sheep.”
John 21:17b

And as I lay there in bed that morning pondering and praying about my dream . . . the Lord brought to mind the truth of my sins. I was a doubter—like Thomas, I’d gone along with the crowd and denied Him—like Peter, and I was prone to give in to temptation—like Eve.

I was not the “good little church girl” I thought I was. I needed and continue to need forgiveness. I need God’s grace, mercy, and love. I need Jesus.

The Lord is faithful.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8–9

By God’s grace, I’ve experienced the blessing of God’s forgiveness and that’s the reason I tell my story. I will tell you of my flaws and failures, my weaknesses and worries, my foolishness and frailties . . . so I can tell you about His amazing grace, tender mercy, and unfailing love.

A Prayer Thanking God for His Grace, Mercy, and Love

Lord, thank you for showing me the truth about my sin. I am so ashamed that I ever thought I was “good.” Please forgive me. Just thinking that I could obey Your will or that I could have excused faults makes me now realize that I was guilty of the sin of pride. You allowed me to KNOW the TRUTH of who I am that I might enjoy the blessing and freedom found in Your love and forgiveness.

I know everything is a gift of Your grace. Thank you for patiently leading me through Your Spirit. I prayerfully ask that You will give me the courage and strength I need each day to follow wherever You lead me. I ask that You will help me love and care for others as You want me to. And I pray that with Your help, I will boldly proclaim the truth about Jesus. Thank You for Your grace, mercy, and love. I praise You. I worship You. I love you. Amen.

It can be hard to boldly proclaim our love of Jesus. In the current “cancel culture” it takes courage to tell people about the blessings of knowing and loving Jesus.

John wrote because he wanted everyone to know that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God.

He began with…

In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:1

In the last chapter, he wrote…

The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.
John 20:30–31

And he closed with…

This disciple is the one who testifies to these events and has recorded them here. And we know that his account of these things is accurate. Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.
John 21:24–25

He loved the Lord and he testified that you and I might know and love Him too.

When we humbly know our need for forgiveness and we know the blessing of God’s grace, mercy, and love . . . we want to share the Good News.

On today’s note write:

I need God’s grace, mercy, and love today and every day.

God bless you today as you celebrate and share His Good News!

Click here to read the rest of John 21.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

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How to Give God Glory with Your Flaws and Scars

12 / 2 / 1912 / 1 / 19

How God taught me a lesson through my chipped candle holder that He is able to shine through our lives even though we have flaws and scars. #God'sStrength #BibleVerses #WWGGG #CountingMyBlessings

Have you ever had good intentions turn into regret?

It can happen in all kinds of ways…

Your words were misunderstood.
Actions misinterpreted.
Or simply an accident you can’t undo.

I’ve experienced all of the above but most recently it was the last one that the Lord used to teach me a lesson.

It all started the morning I decided to put up our Christmas decorations. I gathered the fall stuff up and boxed it away.

But before I carried the Christmas boxes upstairs, I decided to clean some of our year-round items … things I dust often but only “clean” occasionally.

And that’s the reason why I took a close look at this large glass candle holder that sits in a featured spot on our kitchen island. I bought it specifically for this house and that space.

I love it!

As I took a closer look, I realized it was covered with fingerprints and remnants of seasonal “dust” – so, I decided to carry it over to the sink and give it a good scrubbing.

Did I mention that it’s large?

Well, it’s heavy, too!

Once I added water and soap, it was awkward, slippery, and hard to handle.

And that’s when the rim bumped the edge of the counter. I heard a crack and a clink. The sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach was confirmed by the chip of glass that glistened up from the bottom of the sink.

After the initial “OH NO!” I ran and grabbed some super-glue hoping a little magic would make it as good as new.

But I was wrong. Although the chip fit the space perfectly and the glue held tight … the scarred edges were still unpleasantly noticeable.

As the day went on, I checked out the flaw every time I walked by the counter. All I could think about was that it was no longer unblemished. I considered replacing it with a new and “perfect” duplicate.

And I continued to do some serious self-loathing because I hadn’t been more careful.

I thought about it as I went to sleep and it was on my mind when I woke up the next morning.

But by God’s grace, He replaced the negative thoughts from the day before with something new…

“In this sinful world you will receive bumps and bruises. Some will even leave you wounded and scarred. But I want you to remember every time you see the flaw on this candle holder … that the light still shines even though it’s damaged.

And in the same way … you can shine the light of my love even with your flaws and scars.“

How to Give God Glory with Your Flaws and Scars

Of all the miserable things that can happen in this life … my damaged decor item falls way down on the list of things that are upsetting. I’ve experienced worse in the past and I’m sure you have too.

And yet, I love how the Lord used this one to not only remind me of an important lesson for today. He gave me a lasting reminder for the future.

A reminder to shine His love for His glory even though I will never do it flawlessly…

Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16

Friends, our flaws and scars do not disqualify us. In fact, it might possibly be those very things that help us shine the Lord’s light in unique and personal ways. It may be that…

The scar of betrayal enables us to love the person who is in pain after being betrayed.
The scar of repentance that led to forgiveness reminds us that the Lord wants us to forgive others.
The scar of former fear helps us love the person who is experiencing fear right now.
The scar of having walked in grief strengthens us to walk with someone who is grieving.
The scars of worry, guilt, shame, rejection, and loneliness … help us love hurting people in a broken world.

God can help us use our flaws and scars to love the people around us who are struggling and in pain.

Not on our own.

Well, at least not on my own…

But with God’s grace.

In His kindness God called you to share in His eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation.All power to Him forever! Amen.
1 Peter 5:10–11

I have to admit that I struggle to stay on that “firm foundation.” I need God’s help which is why I’m so thankful He gave me this tangible reminder.

I’m also thankful for Paul’s honesty in writing about his struggle. I’m glad we don’t know the actual source of his “thorn in the flesh.”

Some think it was a physical ailment, others wonder about an ongoing disability. Some question whether it was the result of persecution and the problems he endured.

I’ve even wondered if it might not be the continuous taunting of the enemy attacking Paul’s heart and mind for persecuting Jesus’ followers before the Lord reached out to him on the road to Damascus.

Whatever it was, God wanted you and me to be able to see ourselves in Paul’s tri-fold plea for deliverance and hold tight to His loving response…

God said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me.
2 Corinthians 12:9

And God’s grace is enough. It’s all we need.

God’s grace is enough for us to shine the light and love of Jesus to a broken and hurting world. Enough for us to use our scars to remember that everyone is wounded … everyone needs to know His grace, mercy, and love.

His grace is enough to give us everything we need to glorify Him … even with our flaws and scars.

After writing words of God’s promise to give him all-sufficient grace, Paul said…

Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ’s strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size—abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (MSG)

Paul didn’t deny or ignore the flaws and scars, he invited God to use them to make him stronger … to help him. He wrote in his letter to the Ephesians…

Once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Ephesians 5:8–9

You know, a funny thing happened as I looked closely at my flawed candle holder…

I saw light shining right through the middle of the chipped glass.

And I realized I really am thankful for this daily reminder of God’s sufficient grace, mercy, and love.

Whatever happens … the things I do that cause me pain, the things done by others or the problems I experience because the world is broken by sin, the Lord is able to give me everything I need to shine the light of His love.

And He’s able to give you everything you need too!

By His grace may we shine His light for His glory through our flaws and scars!

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave a prayer request on the
Blessing Counters Prayer Page…

and take a moment to pray for someone else.

If you’d like to read and study the New Testament
in just 5 minutes a day this year head over to
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5 Prayers that Thank God for His Amazing Grace

12 / 1 / 177 / 29 / 20

I can’t say it’s necessarily the way I was taught as a child … it just seemed to evolve over time.

I knew God had fully taken care of my salvation through Jesus sacrifice and that through faith in His amazing gift my eternal future was secure…

But my here and now — that was influenced by God’s favor given in response to my behavior.

I had childish faith!

Faith that believed God loved me more when I was “good” and less when I wasn’t.

Which is one of the reasons why I love the following quotes so much:

“Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not!” ~ C. S. Lewis

“The sin underneath all our sins is to trust the lie of the serpent that we cannot trust the love and grace of Christ and must take matters into our own hands” ~ Martin Luther

It took a lot of bumps in the road that send me deep into His Word before I finally believed I could completely trust God’s awesome amazing grace and love! Grace that covers my past and yours. Grace that forgives without any help from you or me. Grace that is undeserved and simply to be received with gratitude and joy.

It’s grace that changes our behavior, not our behavior that gains grace.

So, I’m hoping you’ll join me as I turn to God’s Word for a daily dose of grace — praying and praising Him for this awesome and amazing gift.

5 Prayers that Thank God for His Amazing Grace

Ephesians 2:8–9

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Father, thank you for Jesus, Your perfect gift of grace. I know my eternal future is secure because all You have done for me through Jesus. You have made me yours forever. Nothing can remove me from Your hand. (John 10:29) I am safe and secure in Your unchanging love. How can I begin to thank You?! With my life. I give You my all. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Romans 6:13b–14

So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

Father, how I have struggled to understand the freedom You give. Forgive me for believing I live under the Law’s requirements. Thank you for Your patience in teaching me Your truth. When my heart and mind are set on You — when I am fully surrendered and living for Your glory, then and only then can I know true freedom. By the power of Your Spirit help me keep me surrendered and grateful … and fully alive to serve and glorify You. Amen.

Hebrews 4:16

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

Father, it overwhelms me that You want me to enter throne room in prayer. It is in that holy place where I have learned to “be still and know You.” (Psalm 46:10) It is there I have found Your mercy that forgives my foolish selfishness and Your grace that saves me. Thank you for Jesus, our example … who understands who I am, loves me, and helps me. Amen.

Romans 5:6

And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For, in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.

Father, You are kind and good. It is impossible for anyone to deserve what Jesus has done. Your grace is free, undeserved, and unconditional. There is nothing I can ever do to repay You for all You’ve done and all You continue to do in my life. I am saved by Your grace alone and in humble response I humbly thank you and offer myself to You. With Your Spirit’s help, may I live this day for Your glory. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13:14

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Father, Jesus is Your grace with flesh on. He revealed your love to us and Your Spirit reveals Your mercy, grace, and love in countless ways every day. Thank you for Your presence in my life. Your grace is truly amazing! In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

Make an intentional effort as you go throughout the day to stop and celebrate God’s amazing gift of grace. Praise Him for the fact that there is nothing you can do to earn or deserve it.

God gives His grace simply because He loves you that much.

Thank you so much for joining me today.

And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

You can also…

Leave a prayer request on the
Blessing Counters Prayer Page…

and take a moment to pray for someone else.

If you’d like to read and study the New Testament
in just 5 minutes a day this year head over to
5 Min. A Day N. T. Devotions

And check out our new Facebook Page/Group –
#WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory.
We’d love for you to join the movement!

Always remember – I LOVE hearing from you!
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If this article blessed or helped you today — would you please share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…

The Confession That Saved My Life

3 / 11 / 159 / 13 / 15

I am so excited to welcome Patti Krank from Old Things New as my guest today. Patti says that she has been . . . Transformed from broken to beautiful. She loves to point people to the transforming power of Jesus and rescuing old pieces of furniture and giving them new life.

What a beautiful analogy our lives in Christ. Please make her feel welcome. I know her story will bless and encourage you. Don’t forget to visit her site to read more posts and see her beautiful furniture transformations.

The Confession That Saved My Life

If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9

“Are you pregnant?”, she asked.

“I think so,” I answered fearfully.

It was 1973 and I was 17. I saw our family doctor first, a visit filled with dread and shame. I went alone.

On the day of the abortion I was accompanied by my mother and my boyfriend. We went to a city far away.

“We won’t tell your father and I don’t want you to tell anyone else either.” We were a good church family with a fine reputation.

I was awake throughout the abortion. I could hear the noise of the suction and feel a deep pressure inside my core, a pressure both physical and emotional.

In the middle of the night, at home in my bed, I began cramping. Deep, painful cramps with bleeding. I called out to my mom in fear.

“Those are labor pains,” she answered tersely. “Even though “it” is gone you still have to go through the pain.

[Tweet “Yes, I still had to go through the pain. That night and for years to come.”]

I asked God to forgive me many times but the pain continued. Over the course of many years I had bouts of undiagnosed depression. How could it be diagnosed when I kept my secret to myself? I was frantically living my life to look like a good Christian, trying desperately to live up to the name that my family gave me when I was very young, “Perfect Patti.”

When the lows came I would sometimes sink so low that I would want to die. I cried out to God to take my life. During this time I failed at so many things. I married the boy who fathered my child, because I heard at youth group that having sexual relations meant you are married in God’s eyes. I wanted to be obedient. That failed after only a few months. I married again, a church man who was much older. It was a poor decision from the outset but I truly believed that no one would want me and I was lucky to be asked. Another failure. I married my current husband, “the doctor”, believing that he would be my savior.

After the initial “high” of marrying the man of my dreams, the pain returned and the draw of death pulled me closer as each low became lower than the last . . . until . . .

“You have a spirit of death hanging over you,” said the prayer counselor at the retreat we were attending.

A light came on as I realized what was causing my obsession with death.

“Abortion,” I spoke the word out loud.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray
for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16

My first confession, a prayer prayed over me, and the experience of a great weight being lifted.

This was followed by the same confession to my home group and more lifting.

Sometime later, after much healing in my husband’s and my lives, our Pastor released us into ministry within the church, and I told my story in front of a larger group of people. I’ve done this many times now and though there still may be tears in the telling there is no guilt or shame because I know that I am clothed in robes of righteousness through Jesus Christ my Savior. I am forgiven and I have been set free.

Each time I share my story I’m surprised at how many Christian women come to me and share their own abortion stories. It isn’t something one freely talks about in church settings and I’m sad that so many are living under a cloak of guilt, unable to lives their lives to the fullest.

The enemy of our souls loves for us to keep our secrets hidden inside. Confess to God and receive forgiveness. Confess to another trustworthy person who will pray through the pain with you and experience healing.

About me:

I am Perfectly Imperfect Patti, daughter of the King, wife to the amazing Mr. OTN, mom to two loving daughters, companion to three dogs. I blog at OldThingsNew where I share home and soul transformations. God has redeemed the wasted years of our lives and my husband and I are both grateful that God has allowed us to share our stories to help others along in their healing journeys. We’ve recently moved from Washington State, where we directed a program called Freedom Session, to South Carolina, where we are currently working one-on-one with others and waiting for the “next step” in ministry.