March 16, 1947

Sunday afternoon
March 16th, 1947

Dear Mom,
Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Titus 1:4
But sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: being ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear.
I Peter 3:15

I don’t know why that verse is so preeminent this weekend – it is my 78th verse and I truly thank God for it. I’ve used it in several letters today and yesterday. For me it has removed a great deal out of my haughty spirit that I have anything over anyone else. I too was a sinner, now, praise God I’m a sinner saved by Grace! Thank God for that privilege of witnessing to others about that wonderful life that only Jesus can give.

So far on my tests, I have missed four on one, one on the another, and two perfect papers. I learned more from those errors that I did in the right ones. Every time I’d get self sufficient, the Lord would take me down a notch and down to my knees. But it is an honor to kneel before a gracious Lord and have Him forgive one! When I arise, I feel as if someone has promised me everything this world and plus, and what do you know, that’s how it is!

The true victory that I have in studying in contrast to that so-called studying I did in High School and even after I got into the Navy is amazing. I only regret that I’d not called upon the Lord before this! I never realized that Jesus could live within me, but he DOES! The Lord give me every need I could want. Prayer time, Bible study time! I think I’ve read more, I guess because I felt such a dire need of it than I ever did when I was in TAF taking my vacation! (That was what the Lord was giving me there….a vacation!)

I have a good quiet places to study every night. I’m not bragging so please don’t misunderstand me, I’m rejoicing! I don’t want to feel as if I’m bragging because I do way to much complaining to brad. Surely Christ is ever living.

I haven’t heard amy thing about the Bond deal. It is evident thought that the Navy is still re-establishing it’s resources and in the rearranging had to cease that point for a while. Just take the notice as it is, I guess.

You are right in a great many ways about my always wanting to change everyone’s religion into my own. I catch myself at it continually and it is definitely not a good idea. I try not to argue ever though because in that you either aggravate the individual or if he wins your case is lost. It seems that you follow the National Sunday School lesson form right along. I have the small hand book that contains all that and is it ever a honey!

I didn’t mean to throw any condemnation upon the Seventh Day Adventist group. They are duping many people and think they are really pulling a fast one by the Voice of Prophecy. I’m not to judge, and because there are so many good Christian’s in a cult like that is it is the Tare and the Wheat parable all over again. Like one YFC speaker said, “I can’t judge but the Bible tells me to observe by their Fruits.”
“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing , that ye may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Love,
In Him, Stephen