What is the value of truth?

I was mindlessly channel surfing on my car radio this morning, Chuck Swindoll, a well known Christian writer, pastor was discussing the value of truth. I had just discussed this topic with someone I love. I turned up the volume and share this 2023 pearl of wisdom.

We have so many potential sources of truth being thrown at us daily. Whether we listen to liberal or conservative ideas, pop culture, music or the latest trends on YouTube or TikTok. It can feel like a tornado or sound like a freight train with wind blowing smoke into our conscious and unconscious minds.

So what is the value of truth? According to Mr. Swindoll, there are 4 points to consider, they all point to the absolute truth in the Bible:

1. If we’re led by the truth, we don’t let feelings rule us but instead we go to God‘s truth.
2. Absolute truth of the Word stabilizes us in times of testing. No matter the trial when we seek Him first, the wisdom is there.
3. We can handle the Bible correctly because we discover where to look in scripture for the wisdom.
4. Truth of God equips us to detect and confront error. It could be error in the way someone else speaks,it could be just as feeling that we get when we know what someone is saying is not the same as the Word of God. We base our truth on what aligns with God’s Word.

We need truth to live, to survive, to share with those we love.

Truth never changes as the Word is unwavering. When Moses was gathering the tablets of stone to direct the Israelites. God encouraged Moses.

Exodus 34:6 AMP
Then the LORD passed by in front of him, and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth (faithfulness);

We are not passive in our seeking truth, we listen or read truth and then we must obey the commands of our Creator God for our best lives. The Lord shared more directions in the scriptures that follow.

Exodus 34:7-10 AMP
“keeping mercy and lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; but He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting (avenging) the iniquity (sin, guilt) of the fathers upon the children and the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations [that is, calling the children to account for the sins of their fathers].” [8] Moses bowed to the earth immediately and worshiped [the Lord]. [9] And he said, “If now I have found favor and lovingkindness in Your sight, O Lord, let the Lord, please, go in our midst, though it is a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your possession.” [10] Then God said, “Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will do wondrous works (miracles) such as have not been created or produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live shall see the working of the LORD, for it is a fearful and awesome thing that I am going to do with you.

If we choose to ignore or blind our eyes, ears and minds from the wisdom of God, we are held accountable even done through our children’s and their children’s generations. God is loving and just.

There have been crazy weather patterns across the country. This past week we had sleet, snow, subzero temperatures, more snow, and fog so thick you couldn’t see far ahead of the car. Trusting God and His wisdom is like continuing to drive through fog so thick you have to trust what is on the other side. It is a straight stable road when your trust is in Him. There is light on the other side and wisdom for the journey.

So where is the value of truth? It is where it has always been with the Lord. We must give all authority to Him, He will never betray or leave us. New year new steps to His truth, one step at a time!

Matthew 6:33 NIV
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

His Words are truth

Youversion scripture photo Bible.com

This is just an add-on to my post, Charisma or truth, there are no other words to say! Let God equip you for every good thing.

Charisma or truth

Matthew 7: 15-16 MSG   “Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impressed with charisma; look for character.

Charismatic people can blind us with their antics, boldness and charades. Scam Alert, are you being played?

I have heard the statement regarding truth, “Check anyone who speaks wisdom from the Lord to know if their teachings align with the Bible.” It is even more important today, in Matthew, we are reminded as the second coming of Jesus gets closer, there will be false teachers. Those who speak with a puffed-up stature, bold and prideful, they will be called false prophets. Their purpose is to do the will of the enemy and draw the Lord’s children, created in His Image, from the King, Jesus.

There is NO King but Jesus!

Here’s the question, who will we follow for wisdom? How do we know what is truth?

Proverbs 12:15  Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
   wise people take advice.

The Bible is not just a book of stories. It has stood for 2 thousand years. There are prophecies that were spoken about in the Old Testament that came to pass in the times of the New Testament. The pearls of wisdom can carry from the times of Adam and Eve regarding families, joys, and hardships that show conflicts similar to current times. There are stories of evil and good people who struggled to believe they were called to a purpose, who sinned, yet God still used them for great things.

Abraham was the father of many nations, yet he lied to a King saying his wife was his sister because he worried about her safety. Abraham and Sarah took the process of having a baby into their own hands having Abraham’s slave be a surrogate mom to Ishmael. Hagar was a single mom treated unfairly yet God blessed her with Abrahams’s son, and even came to her at her lowest grieving time in a desert and made Himself known, He is El Roi “the God who sees.” Ishmael, Hagar and Abraham’s son, was blessed and became a nation in conflict, his lineage is in many Arab countries. We may step away from seeking God’s truth and still with our return for His wisdom, God has been known to bless.

Teachers of the Bible are called to a higher standard. Scary proposition.

James 3: 1-2 Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards. And none of us is perfectly qualified. We get it wrong nearly every time we open our mouths. If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.



3-5 A bit in the mouth of a horse controls the whole horse. A small rudder on a huge ship in the hands of a skilled captain sets a course in the face of the strongest winds. A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it!

God uses all people even us sinners as He did Abraham and Sarah, Adam and Eve. However, first, we need to seek wisdom from the only Source of wisdom, The Lord God Himself. Here are other words to describe Him: Elohim, Almighty God, Prince of Peace, Lord of Lords!

James 3: 13-16 Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish plotting. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.

17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

So how do you know a person is honest and of integrity? Check out what Proverbs tells us:

Proverbs 12: 16 - 19,23
16  Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;

    the prudent quietly shrug off insults.



17 Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,

    but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.
18 Rash language cuts and maims,

    but there is healing in the words of the wise.



19 Truth lasts;

    lies are here today, gone tomorrow.

23 Prudent people don’t flaunt their knowledge;

    talkative fools broadcast their silliness.

I may share little nuggets of wisdom that I am learning, however, always seek to know Jesus for yourself. You will not be disappointed by the time you spend soaking up His wisdom. Our Source of Truth is important. Because the wisdom we find can direct our lives not only today but reach into our future. Charisma is overrated but truth is essential.

Who is on first?

When I consider the phrase, “who’s on first,” I think of the trio of comedians from the 1920s golden age, Abbot and Costello. The comedians fed off each other with witty humor during a depressed time as the stock market crashed, and many were in financial crisis with food shortages.

This same phrase “who’s on first”, could be a phrase from a softball or baseball game. It covers two teams: the offense as the guy on first base from the opposing team or the defender who covers first base preventing a successful hit at bat.

Here’s the comparison to our faith life, “Who is on first in your life?” Where is your focus? Is it on seeking wisdom in culture, the stock market, being a sports fan or is your focus on God?

Sure, there are many little g gods contending for your attention. I struggle with this same conundrum. It’s okay to find a temporary pleasure in watching your favorite sports team, comedian or participating in a hobby. As a parent, We must teach our kids to choose wisely who we keep as our focus.

The trouble erupts like a volcano when we are off balance in our daily life by not seeking God first for wisdom. Instead, we may purge another little g god. Our favorite Netflix series can calm and distract our stressful life. I have been guilty of this same idol. In the end, we still need to gain insight about stress management, coping with life struggles and seeking productive solutions. These issues do not disappear as we click on episode 10 of our current obsession on our movie channel.

So here’s my question for you: “Who is your first?” If it is not God/ Jesus, maybe it’s time to change the priority to the big God who can guide and support in unfailing love. His wisdom comes when we seek Him first. We have to turn off the other distractions.

Matthew 6:25-33 NLT
"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life-whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? [26] Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? [27] Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? [28] "And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, [29] yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. [30] And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? [31] "So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' [32] These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. [33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

This song, “First things first” by Consumed by Fire, pierced my heart, mind and soul yesterday. I felt a healthy conviction to my soul. Not condemnation ( that’s from the devil)! It was as if my best friend Jesus was whispering, “Am I your first?” I felt drawn back to my priority of time with Jesus. I repented saying aloud, “Forgive me for stepping away, I choose you, Jesus.”

Jesus is your offense and your defense when you let Him coach your life. Even more significant at Christmas time, we can get back to the awe of Jesus, his name means “God with us.” We can choose Him for the first time or return to Him for a do over.

Romans 10:9-13 NLT
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. [11] As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced." [12] Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. [13] For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."

Don’t let another day go by without saying aloud, Jesus I am a sinner, I need you, I repent ( turn away from my past sins) Please forgive me of the past sins and guide me into the future. I choose You, Jesus. I believe You are my Savior, be the Lord of my life. Thank you for loving me unconditionally, Amen!

May today be a day of celebration, welcome to the family of God, I rejoice with you. Make Him First! He will bring abundant hope even in trials.

Time to move

The Byrds are remembered for a song, “Turn, turn, turn” that includes a message from words found in Ecclesiastes 3 regarding time. Time can not stand still, there is love and hate, war and peace, and a time for forgiveness and grace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8,11,14-15 NLT

[1] For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. [2] A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. [3] A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. [4] A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. [5] A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. [6] A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. [7] A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. [8] A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace. [11] Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. [14] And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God's purpose is that people should fear him. [15] What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.

Every day can be a time to do our own personal reset in our lives, words, and actions. People in positions of power across the world seem to forget the principle of taking time to move for humanity. Before it is too late.

However, I think these moments in history both in the world and within our own communities can give us time to ponder our own reactions. I am learning that I must not hold onto anything that is not in my control to change. I am learning that Jesus can have it all. But I must say the words out loud ” Jesus Have it all!” and then I must leave my concerns in His hands.

This is not an easy task. In fact, I can find myself turning my gaze behind me reconsidering, and picking up the situation. But when I get in the way of the Lord’s plan, I mess up the future and my faith in the unseen future is wrecked again. Can you relate?

Proverbs 16: 1 - 3
1 We can make our own plans,
 but the Lord gives the right answer.

2 People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives.

3 Commit your actions to the Lord,
 and your plans will succeed.

Jeremy Riddle, a Christian musician, and his amazing band recently released an album. It is so filled with the feeling of the Presence of God. This song is amazing, “Jesus Have It All” is my absolute favorite reminder of giving all my worries, fears, and concerns to the One who has better plans. Thank you to the person who put this song into a lyric video less than 24 hours ago. God bless you.

Time is in the Lord’s Hands! He knows the end to the beginning. He is the Alpha and Omega! Rest in His arms. Listen to the Peace that comes when you hand Him your life, all of it!!!

Commit my Heart?

What our heart treasures shows where we are committed. Today, I felt drawn to the heart and commitment. Just yesterday, I was sharing with my teen the difference between feelings and faith in God. The raw hormones of a teen guy or gal can feel like truth. But when we step back and breathe we can learn the heart is an impulsive organ.

Scripture shares multiple examples of this process. Mediate on what God says about the heart. It may provide a new instruction and it will be truth.

Numbers 6:24-26 AMP

The LORD bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, and guard you]; [25] The LORD make His face shine upon you [with favor], And be gracious to you [surrounding you with lovingkindness]; [26] The LORD lift up His countenance (face) upon you [with divine approval], And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life].’

Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NLT

But from there you will search again for the LORD your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him. [30] “In the distant future, when you are suffering all these things, you will finally return to the LORD your God and listen to what he tells you. [31] For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon you or destroy you or forget the solemn covenant he made with your ancestors.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NLT

“Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. [5] And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. [6] And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. [7] Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. [8] Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. [9] Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Matthew 5:5 AMP

“Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.

Matthew 6:19-24 AMP

“Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. [20] But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in and steal; [21] for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also. [22] “The eye is the lamp of the body; so if your eye is clear [spiritually perceptive], your whole body will be full of light [benefiting from God’s precepts]. [23] But if your eye is bad [spiritually blind], your whole body will be full of darkness [devoid of God’s precepts]. So if the [very] light inside you [your inner self, your heart, your conscience] is darkness, how great and terrible is that darkness!

There is great wisdom in each of these scriptures. Wisdom to share with family and friends. Take a deep breath and gain a new heart rhythm set on Jesus!

Matthew 6:24. No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

Search for The Lord with all your heart, body, mind and soul and be renewed. Set a new trajectory of purpose for your life and your family,maybe generational curses can be broken. Set your heart and commit to know the wisdom of the Heart of God. You can’t serve two Masters! You can be changed as your heart beats with the Father.

Mountains

Majestic mountains stand across the planet. Their massive rock foundations can reach for the sky, and the highest mountain is Mount Everest, at 29,032 feet, its located in the Himalayas. Everest is thought to be 50 to 60 million years old. Multiple Millions of years old, it has gone through transformation by weather patterns and erosion. Erosion has left grooves and cracks as winds, ice, and glaciers with water flow to further etch this massive mountain.

Our own individual mountain of self is formed by those in our life; family, friends, etc. If we consider our lives as a mountain, we may ponder the life experiences that can bring us a sense of purpose, our mind is a powerful foundation for our future. Words of affirmation from some parents can build up the inside voices of optimism. These words can be just what we need to remember on days when the world outside our home chips away like a rocky erosion at our sense of worth.

Sadly, not everyone has been raised with encouraging words. Even on the best days, parents can speak without thinking and hurl hurtful words. I have had to seek my kids’ and families’ forgiveness for careless speech. By asking forgiveness, I give my child an opportunity to see grace and mercy in action too.

For those raised in a verbally abusive environment, their minds can be filled with words of cruelty, such as”you are so stupid, you will never succeed, I am so disappointed in you, why try?” We are a product of our upbringing. Some words improve our inner dialog, giving us a sense of purpose and setting foundation. While other words are set to destroy our optimistic inner dialogue and negative support can cause our actions to self sabotage our futures.

Negative words etch and chip away at our belief we can achieve success. This negativity of mind can drain us from a life of hope. Words can come from family, friends, employers, coworkers, or even teachers. It could be as a high schooler struggling in Algebra, English perhaps any subject. Encouraging teachers can increase our confidence. Teachers with impatience or an inability to share concepts from viewpoints other than their usual learning process; kinesthetic, auditory, visuals, or words, can stunt a students growth. Parents, teachers, or any human can miss the opportunity to guide a child to success and a Godly inner dialogue.

I can visualize a preschooler’s hands tightly pressed across their ears, yelling, ” Lala La” so he can drown out the Peanuts’ parent voice. ” Wa Wa Wa Wa.” Maybe there is something to this childish action. What do you think, is it socially acceptable as an adult to plug your ears?

The world will do its best to increase our insecurity and negative mindset. We have to actively seek a Godly perspective for ourselves and share with it with our kids.

We need to open our ears and minds to THE Rock, the voice of God. and plug our ears from those humans that are not helpful. It takes practice to drown out the world and realize we can really open our ears to the Rock. It says in scripture our Creator God delights in the praises of His creation. Can you visualize the mountains bursting in song? I would love to hear that sound.

Isaiah 55:3 -13

3 “Come to me with your ears wide open.
    Listen, and you will find life.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you.
    I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.
4 See how I used him to display my power among the peoples.
    I made him a leader among the nations.
5 You also will command nations you do not know,
    and peoples unknown to you will come running to obey,
because I, the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, have made you glorious.”

6 Seek the Lord while you can find him.
    Call on him now while he is near.
7 Let the wicked change their ways
    and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
    Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.

8 “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
    “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
9 For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so my ways are higher than your ways
    and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.

10 “The rain and snow come down from the heavens
    and stay on the ground to water the earth.
They cause the grain to grow,
    producing seed for the farmer
    and bread for the hungry.
11 It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
12 You will live in joy and peace.
    The mountains and hills will burst into song,
    and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
13 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
    Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name;
    they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.”

God is unfailing in love. His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are His ways our ways. His Word can fill our minds with optimism that can prompt our steps, and His hope that can drown out the babbling of an unhealthy voice. Our God is bigger than Mount Everest. Our mindset needs to be set on Him. “Speak to the Mountain”, is an awesome song by Chris McClarney. I play and sing it loud!!

Powerful Lyrics remind us God is Faithful. His Promises are True. Speak to The Mountain, He is Greater than our feelings and He already knows our needs. There is no mountain too high for His plans to succeed. Speak to Him. He is greater, Stronger than even Everest!

New day, new sunrise

The Hebrew translation of sunrise ( zrikha) includes shining, glowing, luminosity. Merriam-Websters’ Definition of sunrise: dawn, daybreak, morning.

A new day is dawning. A new light is coming, Morning is breaking. Jesus is the Light, He is the Bright Morning Star, He is new beginnings. Step into the Light.

Yesterday was an interesting day, it may have deflated some people and caused celebration in others. I felt the importance of remembering that with each new day comes a sunrise. We can count on the rising sun and the sunset at the end of our day. It is a God given nature phenomenon from the beginning of time.

We can count on a sunrise and sunset. Even more important, we can count on God’s word to be true. Meditate on these scriptures on sunrises. Stop the busy day and it’s continuous distractions. Our family watches how we handle life circumstance. It’s awesome to share with friends, family and our kids the awesome creations of God. Take the time to get up early in the morning and view His majestic sky.

Psalm 19:6 MSG
That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, Melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith.

Psalm 59:16 TPT
But as for me, your strength shall be my song of joy. At each and every sunrise, my lyrics of your love will fill the air! For you have been my glory-fortress, a stronghold in my day of distress.

Psalm 90:14 TPT
Let the sunrise of your love end our dark night. Break through our clouded dawn again! Only you can satisfy our hearts, filling us with songs of joy to the end of our days.

Psalm 112:1-10 MSG
Hallelujah! Blessed man, blessed woman, who fear GOD, Who cherish and relish his commandments, Their children robust on the earth, And the homes of the upright-how blessed! Their houses brim with wealth And a generosity that never runs dry. Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people- God’s grace and mercy and justice! The good person is generous and lends lavishly; No shuffling or stumbling around for this one, But a sterling and solid and lasting reputation. Unfazed by rumor and gossip, Heart ready, trusting in GOD, Spirit firm, unperturbed, Ever blessed, relaxed among enemies, They lavish gifts on the poor- A generosity that goes on, and on, and on. An honored life! A beautiful life! Someone wicked takes one look and rages, Blusters away but ends up speechless. There’s nothing to the dreams of the wicked. Nothing.

Sunrise breaks through the darkness for good people – God’s grace and mercy and justice! Awesome visuals in these promises. I don’t know the future and I have to trust the One True God that started sunrises and night times. Hold onto His promises. Hope in the storms of life. He knows the plans.

Mercy and Love

Mercy defined ( Merriam Webster)
1. Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
2. Blessing, that is an act of divine favor or compassion

Synonym: compassion, grace, kindness, sympathy,
Antonym: cruelty

God shows mercy by showing His unfailing love, being slow to get angry, and offering eternal life and His salvation no matter how we sin. If we had a father who was insensitive in words or actions, we may not believe our Father God could possibly care about us in love, and patience and bring us eternal life.

Do you want to gain a greater understanding of the love of God and the patient endurance of Jesus? Our human mind can’t grasp mercy and find favor beyond our mistakes. Once we become a believer in Christ, He opens our human understanding with His wisdom, it is a great reward.

2 Thessalonians 2-5

²Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. ³But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. ⁴And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. ⁵May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.

God can use anyone for His Kingdom purpose, He used a guy named Saul to deliver the gospel message to Gentiles ( beyond the chosen Jewish people).

Before Paul, became a Christian he persecuted Jesus followers. He was brought up with the book knowledge of the Bible but did not open his heart to Jesus. Paul was named Saul from birth. He had a life transforming experience when he lost his sight, Jesus spoke to Saul, who repented of his past and Jesus renamed him, Paul. From that moment on Paul served His Savior, Jesus. We can be the same stubborn, ignorant human, Jesus can have mercy on us. We are made new when we turn from past choices to Him. When we allow Jesus to direct our steps He shows us mercy and His plan unfolds. Paul wrote this scripture (letter to a new Christian, Timothy).

1 Timothy 1:12 – 14

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work. He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, ¹³even though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.

Paul mentored this young man, Timothy, with the knowledge Jesus shared. Paul encouraged Timothy to grow in his faith over fear. Paul shared in his letters to Timothy, these words:

2 Timothy 1: 10 -13 So I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen.

¹¹This is a trustworthy saying:

If we die with him,
    we will also live with him.
¹²If we endure hardship,
    we will reign with him.
If we deny him,
    he will deny us.
¹³If we are unfaithful,
    he remains faithful,
    for he cannot deny who he is.

Those words are still true today. We must choose for ourselves who we will serve: the world or Jesus. It really is that simple. His mercy can be trusted but we must take the steps to receive it.

Paul wrote letters to many peoples including the Ephesians. He shared the love and mercy of Christ and many lives were transformed by Jesus for His Kingdom purposes and for generations. Just as Paul demonstrated, When we love God we want to follow His commands not as hard restrictions but as showing love of God and His people.

Ephesians 2 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. ²You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. ³All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

⁴But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) ⁶For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. ⁷So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

⁸God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. ¹⁰For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

I have been foolish, I may have been raised with a legalistic religion, I did the actions required until I became an adult. However, I wanted more, I wanted a relationship with Jesus. This occurred as I went through trials which led me to seek Him, trials can drive us to our knees and to reach for Jesus. I was 32. You are never too old to choose a new life with Jesus. Grateful for His mercy and grace freely given.

A dear Sister in Christ sent me this song by Jason Crabb, “Good Morning Mercy”. A beautiful reminder of the Mercy we can walk in every morning. He wants to do a new thing, let Him. I hope this song blesses your day, make it a good one.

Refine me to Gold

Pain is an opportunity for growth in God! I shared this concept with a few friends lately.

Pain can draw us to our Savior or fear over pain can cause us to look over our shoulder and run from the Savior. The molding of our character burns and can scar us.

Daniel 3 shares the story of three young men who refused to bow down before a king. They trusted God over any threats by man. God protected them from a fiery furnace and death. As a result, the King and others turned their lives over to God.

Daniel 3:16-18 CEV
The three men replied, “Your Majesty, we don’t need to defend ourselves. [17] The God we worship can save us from you and your flaming furnace. [18] But even if he doesn’t, we still won’t worship your gods and the gold statue you have set up.”

These young men placed their hope in the One True God!! We can choose the same course. Trust God in your pain to be refined as gold into the treasure He already knows you to be.

Psalm 25:1-8 MSG
My head is high, GOD, held high; I’m looking to you, GOD; No hangdog skulking for me. [3] I’ve thrown in my lot with you; You won’t embarrass me, will you? Or let my enemies get the best of me? Don’t embarrass any of us Who went out on a limb for you. It’s the traitors who should be humiliated. [4] Show me how you work, GOD; School me in your ways. [5] Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren’t you? [6] Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, GOD; Rebuild the ancient landmarks! [7] Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, GOD! [8] GOD is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.

The gods of this world: materialism, social status, economic wealth, can’t compare to the peace found in trusting our Creator God with our futures. In this time of uncertainty, world instability, financial chaos, relational strife. There is only one real choice, Jesus.

This mindset may not make sense to our human mind however, as I talked with a dear Sister in Christ yesterday, Jesus is the only Peace to be found. He has never changed from the time of Daniel.

Let the supernatural peace of God take hold of your heart and mind. Micah 4:11-13 the Message version, practically jumped off the page. Hold onto the promises of God.

Holy Spirit fuel our steps!!!🔥💜

Micah 4:11-13 MSG
But for right now, they’re ganged up against you, many godless peoples, saying, “Kick her when she’s down! Violate her! We want to see Zion grovel in the dirt.” These blasphemers have no idea what GOD is thinking and doing in this. They don’t know that this is the making of GOD’s people, that they are wheat being threshed, gold being refined. [13] On your feet, Daughter of Zion! Be threshed of chaff, be refined of dross. I’m remaking you into a people invincible, into God’s juggernaut to crush the godless peoples. You’ll bring their plunder as holy offerings to GOD, their wealth to the Master of the earth.