JR and his wife, Jackie, in 2020
Hello, Faithful Servants
My name is Jon Draper, but most folks call me JR. I have created this website to document my experiences as a born-again Christian. My personal testimony is profound and my conversion sincere, yet I remain a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ only because of The Gospel. This weblog is NOT an attempt to change or add to His gospel; it's a labor of love. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." I am human and capable of error, so please test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and Contact Me with questions or comments.
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Qualities Of A Deacon
This website exists to ask and answer some of the questions that new believers have about the gospel, as well as explain the reason for the hope that lies within me (1 Peter 3:15). I am NOT a pastor, nor did I attend bible college or a theological seminary. What then are my qualifications? It is written in 1 Timothy 3: "Likewise, deacons must be reverent; not deceitful or hypocritical; not addicted to wine; not greedy for money; holding firmly to the mystery of the faith with clear consciences. But deacons must also first be tested; and then, let them serve if they prove themselves. Their wives must be reverent; not gossipers or slanderers; temperate; faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own houses well."
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#Testimony
JR and his wife, Jackie, in 2020
Hello, Faithful Servants
My name is Jon Draper, but most folks call me JR. I have created this website to document my experiences as a born-again Christian. My personal testimony is profound and my conversion sincere, yet I remain a faithful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ only because of The Gospel. This weblog is NOT an attempt to change or add to His gospel; it's a labor of love. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 3, "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." I am human and capable of error, so please test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and Contact Me with questions or comments.
Learn More
Contact Me
Qualities Of A Deacon
This website exists to ask and answer some of the questions that new believers have about the gospel, as well as explain the reason for the hope that lies within me (1 Peter 3:15). I am NOT a pastor, nor did I attend bible college or a theological seminary. What then are my qualifications? It is written in 1 Timothy 3: "Likewise, deacons must be reverent; not deceitful or hypocritical; not addicted to wine; not greedy for money; holding firmly to the mystery of the faith with clear consciences. But deacons must also first be tested; and then, let them serve if they prove themselves. Their wives must be reverent; not gossipers or slanderers; temperate; faithful in all things. Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own houses well."
Read More
#Testimony
AI-Generated Image: Wooden Cross
The Gospel
My primary focus is to present The Gospel to a digital audience, both in English and Spanish. "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." Fortunately, the "Good News" is simple to understand and found in 1 Corinthians 15. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve." His resurrection is foundational to the Christian faith. In fact, Paul continues in Verses 13 + 14 (NASB): "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain."
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AI-Generated Image: Wooden Cross
The Gospel
My primary focus is to present The Gospel to a digital audience, both in English and Spanish. "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." Fortunately, the "Good News" is simple to understand and found in 1 Corinthians 15. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve." His resurrection is foundational to the Christian faith. In fact, Paul continues in Verses 13 + 14 (NASB): "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, your faith also is in vain."
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AI-Generated Image: Bible Study Group
Bible Study
It is a familiar expression, yet instructive: "The best translation of the Bible is the one you read." This website quotes from the New International Version (NIV), Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), International Standard Version (ISV), Modern English Version (MEV), Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), New King James Version (NKJV) and the Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT), among others. The goal of this website is NOT to convince you of which versions are correct/incorrect, but rather to encourage serious study and meditation on Scripture from whichever version you prefer. In 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV), it is written: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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AI-Generated Image: Bible Study Group
Bible Study
It is a familiar expression, yet instructive: "The best translation of the Bible is the one you read." This website quotes from the New International Version (NIV), Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), International Standard Version (ISV), Modern English Version (MEV), Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), New King James Version (NKJV) and the Disciples’ Literal New Testament (DLNT), among others. The goal of this website is NOT to convince you of which versions are correct/incorrect, but rather to encourage serious study and meditation on Scripture from whichever version you prefer. In 2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV), it is written: "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
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AI-Generated Image: Guardian Angel
My Testimony
I met the Lord Jesus Christ on September 13, 2020. The introduction came by way of a motorcycle crash in the Greater Las Vegas Area. He found me (in the air) as I was unsaddled from my Harley-Davidson. I was life-flighted to UMC Trauma and remained in the ICU + Acute Rehab for 68 days. A dozen-plus broken bones and injuries to both sides of my body had left me humbled and helpless. For example, I needed assistance even to sip water. Visitation restrictions and occupancy guidelines due to COVID-19 had me isolated in a private room. The Lord had my attention and the Holy Spirit began a great work in me. "I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again."(Philippians 1:6, ERV)
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AI-Generated Image: Guardian Angel
My Testimony
I met the Lord Jesus Christ on September 13, 2020. The introduction came by way of a motorcycle crash in the Greater Las Vegas Area. He found me (in the air) as I was unsaddled from my Harley-Davidson. I was life-flighted to UMC Trauma and remained in the ICU + Acute Rehab for 68 days. A dozen-plus broken bones and injuries to both sides of my body had left me humbled and helpless. For example, I needed assistance even to sip water. Visitation restrictions and occupancy guidelines due to COVID-19 had me isolated in a private room. The Lord had my attention and the Holy Spirit began a great work in me. "I am sure that the good work God began in you will continue until he completes it on the day when Jesus Christ comes again."(Philippians 1:6, ERV)
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AI-Generated Image: Prayerful Man
Hearing The Lord
A former co-worker — a salty salesman — used to say, "It's not a puzzle." The same should be said about hearing the voice of the Lord. Put simply, I believe that proximity, discernment, and obedience are necessary. It is written in Matthew 7: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."(NIV) And in John 10, the King James Version reads: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Both quotes are attributed to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the verses clearly illustrate how proximity, discernment, and obedience combine to form a message that can be understood through the Holy Spirit.
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AI-Generated Image: Prayerful Man
Hearing The Lord
A former co-worker — a salty salesman — used to say, "It's not a puzzle." The same should be said about hearing the voice of the Lord. Put simply, I believe that proximity, discernment, and obedience are necessary. It is written in Matthew 7: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."(NIV) And in John 10, the King James Version reads: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." Both quotes are attributed to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the verses clearly illustrate how proximity, discernment, and obedience combine to form a message that can be understood through the Holy Spirit.
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Is This A Ministry?
As of July 2023, Faithful Deacon is a weblog and JR's Personal Testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. Out of obedience, this website must conform to His will. I cannot speak about things to which I have not been given permission or authority to discuss. Further, the guidance and/or opinions on this website are not meant to replace the expositional biblical teachings of your local pastor(s) or bishop(s). The role of a deacon is NOT greater than a pastor or bishop. Click on “The Mission" button to learn more about JR & Jackie Draper — our faith and journey — or Contact Me with questions or comments.
The Mission
Contact Me
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
⁓ John 14:6, NKJV
AI-Generated Image: Jesus Christ
My Lord, My Savior
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"(John 14:6, NKJV) Who is the Lord to you? What role does He play in your life? Do you believe the Bible is theoretical or practical? Do you believe that all scripture is God-breathed as written in 2 Timothy 3:16, and that it is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness? Do you agree that a theoretical appreciation of the Bible — or even outright rejection — likely produces a measurably low practical output in terms of fruitfulness and righteousness? What is righteousness without a standard-bearer? For Jackie and I, Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Click the "#Testimony" button to read more about our conversion and faith, or click "About Jesus" to learn more about Him.
#Testimony
About Jesus
Media Gallery
The Media Gallery is an image-heavy webpage that contains the AI-generated artwork associated with Faithful Deacon. Permission is granted to download for personal or religious use. All content should be unique to this website, but glory to God if these images are shared/reused by other developers. Please read this website's Legal + Copyright information for more details.
Contact Me
Faithful Deacon is a Christian weblog that asks/answers some of the questions that new believers may have about the life, ministry, and gospel of Jesus Christ. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about what you have read on this website or in the Bible, please click the “Contact Me” button and drop me a line. Don't worry, I respect your privacy. Any information collected is never sold, nor will you be added to a marketing list for follow-up or harassed for donations. That is not the goal or purpose of this endeavor.
Faithful Deacon
His master said to him,
"Well done, good and faithful servant.
You have been trustworthy in a few things;
I will put you in charge of many things.
Enter into the joy of your master."
⁓ Matthew 25:21
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