How often do we rush ahead of God and want to know where He is leading us – now – instead of waiting on His timing? I know I am guilty of it. Most recently, as I was acquiring my degree, I thought I needed to know who, what, when, where, why, and how He would use it and me when I graduated. After many fretful praying sessions, I realized that my life was much calmer when I relaxed, reminded myself to breathe, and let God come to me in His timing – one day at a time. If I saw the bigger picture, I would be even more overwhelmed than I was when I looked at the whiteboard of assignments on my wall at the beginning of each semester. In God’s timing, the board is now wiped clean. By the grace of God, I made it through.
In the Old Testament, we read how King Saul stepped out ahead of God when things weren’t moving as fast as he thought they should. He tended to be driven by circumstances, relying on religious rituals to gain God’s favor instead of waiting for God’s appointed time (I Sam. 13:8-15, English Standard Version). Does that sound familiar?
Isaiah 13:1-17 records how God’s people forsake Him for false salvation. Still, God promises ultimate abundance, purified of idols, in the next section (I Sam. 18-26, English Standard Version). The word “therefore” in this story stands out in verse eighteen and hinges between these two facts. In other words, because they forsaken Him, His grace was necessary. The verse continues – “The Lord waits to be gracious to you” (Is. 30:18, emphasis added). The ESV Study Bible notes that this is the “amazing logic of grace” – God is the only One who knows the perfect way, time, and process to achieve His purpose.
Many times, like Saul, I haven’t waited and tried to seek God’s favor on my own. But I have found more peace when I let God be God and His Holy Spirit lead me. Isaiah says, “And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Is. 30:21, emphasis added). This is the internal guidance of the Holy Spirit, also noted in Rom. 8:14 and Gal. 5:16, 18, and 25. Don’t let external entanglements (idols) replace wholehearted loyalty to God (Is. 30:22). Instead, pray for God to help you “Keep in step with the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16).
In our obedience – God is always faithful. In our faithfulness – God always provides. When we are impatient – God’s grace covers us with gentle kindness and whispers – this is the way; walk in it. Are you listening?
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Ps. 27:14, Emphasis added)
“Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10, Emphasis added).
I grew up in a family with a long line of Primitive Baptist ministers; my dad was one of them. Predestination is a prominent doctrine rooted in Calvinism, taught, and handed down for generations. The idea is that God chose people destined to be saved before they were born, or as defined in the Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, “To decide upon beforehand.”
This is the subject of many debates even before John Calvin. The opposition argues for free will. But when I did my research, I traced it back to Calvin, whose central theme in all his writings was the Sovereignty of God, which is where his beliefs in predestination are rooted. The Sovereignty of God refers to the biblical teaching that God is all-powerful and rules all things (Ps. 135:6; Dan. 4:34-35). Furthermore, “Scripture emphasizes God’s rule in three areas: creation (Gen. 1; Mark 4:35-41; Rom. 8:20-21), human history (Judg. 14:1-4; Prov. 16:9, 33; Ps. 22:28; Hab. 1:6; Acts 17:26), and redemption (John 17:2; Rom 8:29-30; Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 1-9-10)” (Brand, 2015).
Paul writes in Romans 8:29, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Likewise, in Ephesians 1:5, Paul again teaches, “In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons [and daughters] through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” Paul also quotes the Old Testament: “Then Isaiah is so bold to say, ‘I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me’ ” (Rom. 10:20, English Standard Version). Talking about Israel, he continues that God held out His hands to disobedient people (v 21). What stood out to me was both sides of the coin being taught. Since the Bible is not contradictory, we must reconcile these passages.
The prophecy of Isaiah has been fulfilled; Gentiles who did not seek God have experienced God’s saving promises. Israel may have been disobedient, but God still extends His hand to them, inviting them to be saved. On the one hand, God predestines some to be saved; on the other hand, He still longs for others to be saved. Though it may seem impossible, both statements are correct. It is not a black/white either/or camp – putting limits on God – instead, there is a both/and concept to consider. I am not talking about moral teachings, which are non-negotiable; I am not debating that here. I am talking about doctrines on one’s salvation – both focused on grace. The issue is our ability to choose by free will. Humans can make willing choices that have actual consequences, good and bad. Notwithstanding God’s sovereignty, humans are still accountable to God for their actions (Rom. 2:5-11; 3:19). Paul raises the problem, but rather than resolving the tension, he affirms both (Brand, 2015).
I believe God chose me for this mission, preparing me for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). Still, I had a choice. God does no evil nor approves of it. Nevertheless, He can use it for the good of His children and the fulfillment of His purposes (Brand, 2015). When I hit rock bottom – in my darkest hour – God brought me to Himself through a tragic year. We must also tell others about Christ so they can be saved (Rom. 10:14).
I spent most of my life in church but never received spiritual discipleship. Nor did evangelism surface because if one was predestined to be saved, there was no need in their mind. Predestination does not negate the necessity for human repentance and faith; it shows the possibility for both. God has chosen the foolishness of preaching to awaken faith in the elect (I Cor. 1:21). But He offers the Gospel to everyone without exception, hoping for them to be saved. The Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary states that the same God who predestines also sends His laborers into the harvest to carry out His purposes. There is no grain of justification to slack on evangelism – sinners would never be saved without preaching (Brand, 2015).
Additionally, although it is possible to be chosen by God, it is not based on anything God saw in the person. It is solely according to His purpose, unknown to human wisdom, so a people of the great multitude will be with Him in His eternal kingdom (Rom. 8:29-30; Eph. 1:3-6,11). The ESV Study Bible notes that God’s predestination comforts His people because they are assured that all who come to Christ do so through God’s enabling grace and appointment. Even though Paul affirms in Eph. 1:11 that every event that occurs has some sense of being predestined by God – it is also true that human responsibility is an essential factor.
Paul and other biblical writers never blame God for tragedies and evil (Rom. 5:12; 2 Tim. 4:14; Job 1:21-22). Paul believed that personal evangelism and making conscious choices to obey God are necessary to fulfilling God’s plan. God planned the redemptive work of salvation through the death of Christ. However, those who killed Jesus did it of their own free will and evil intentions, not ordained by God, and will be held accountable for their crimes (Acts 4:28; 2:22-23; Rev. 13:8, Brand, 2015). Even as divine predestination is affirmed, so is spreading the Gospel to save others (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:15). This is one of God’s mysteries to embrace.
The Sovereignty of God and human responsibility work together in the world, even if no one can fully understand it (ESV Study Bible). Brian Han Gregg points out in What Does the Bible Say about Suffering? God does not call one to trust in their understanding of Him, but He does call them to trust Him.
“For now, we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known” (I Cor. 13:12, emphasis added).
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord” (Is. 55:8, emphasis added).
My auto-immune and high cholesterol issues have forced me to eat the types of food my body needs for ultimate health to lower my bad cholesterol, raise the good, and get rid of inflammation. I use the word force, but I could ignore it and keep eating foods that worsen my condition. The way I see it, food is fuel for my body. When I don’t eat healthy, I feel it. It’s like putting diesel fuel in a gasoline engine – it shuts off and sometimes causes significant damage.
Fasting is for God – eating is for us.
When God spoke to His people through the prophet Zechariah, He asked them if their fasting during the seventy years of exile was for Him. The Israelites had lost their sincere desire to have a loving relationship with God. Zechariah told them they needed an attitude adjustment – their fasting was not for repentance or worship. They weren’t thinking of God or the sins that caused their exile in the first place (Zech. 7:4, New Living Translation, Chronological Life Application Study Bible).
This passage challenges us today to ask ourselves if we have lost our zeal for God. Are we going to church, praying, and having fellowship with others out of habit or just the experience we get out of it? Does our attitude of worship reflect a genuine desire to know and love God? If it doesn’t, it will lead to ruin (Zech. 7:5-7).
Sometimes we eat junk food out of habit and don’t think about what we put in our bodies or how it will affect our overall health. It’s the same thing for what we put in our minds and allow our eyes to see. In today’s culture, we need to fast from social media and too much TV and instead spend time in God’s Word to feed our minds something healthier that will sustain us and not cause damage –not merely to memorize verses or check a box but with a genuine desire to know and love God more.
Today more than ever, kids have everything at their fingertips on their phones. Social media, internet sites, and video games have explicit content and violence. We need to protect their minds, especially at tender ages, but some of what’s out there is not fit for anyone at any age. Are we honoring God with what we put in our minds? What we read, watch, and saturate our minds with matters because it affects our hearts. Our mind, body, and spirit all work together; if one is off-kilter, they all get out of whack. God can help us re-align and add the right fuel for optimal results.
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be” (Matt. 6:21, NLT, emphasis added).
As January 5th marked the anniversary of my dad’s passing, I want to celebrate him with a story that has been on my mind.
While studying the book of Acts, I noticed something that made me think of one of my dad’s stories about his calling to be a minister. Paul is on a ship, as a prisoner, headed to Rome, because he has appealed to Caesar after pleading his defense to Festus, and King Agrippa, in Jerusalem, where he was falsely accused. Rome is exactly where God planned for him to go, so he could be His witness to the “ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). But while at sea, a severe storm came up that blew them off course and threatened their lives. Paul received a message from an angel of God who told him not to be afraid and that he still had to stand before Caesar, therefore he nor the others would be harmed (Acts 27:22-25). In other words, God’s purpose will stand, not even a storm can stop it. Paul took comfort in that fact and told the other passengers there would be no loss of life, only the ship. Paul’s presence on the ship assured everyone’s deliverance.
My dad told us that when he was a teenager, he was drafted into the army, and had to travel by ship. A bad storm came up, that tossed the ship around, and everyone was scared. He fastened himself in his bunk and felt at peace because he received a message from God that told him he had not preached yet. Like Paul, I think the fate of my dad and God’s purpose for him to preach preserved the lives of the other passengers that day. One of my dad’s biggest regrets was that he did not think to comfort the other passengers.
I have also been reflecting on the fact that on the day my dad passed, I became an orphan, in the earthly sense of the word, because my mom had just passed 6 days earlier. But as I look back at what unfolded that year and have a better perspective of how God orchestrated the events, I realize that before I even knew I would lose both parents, that I had accepted Christ and followed through with the profession of faith in baptism only 3 months prior and had essentially been adopted by my heavenly Father. Even though my dad, at the time, could not understand why I wanted to be baptized again since I had been baptized as a child, I can’t help but believe, he gets it now.
When I began my journey to healing, it started with forgiveness. Not only of those who hurt me but for myself as well and the part I played in allowing others to use and abuse me, even if I didn’t know another way at the time. I needed to forgive myself for the way I allowed others to treat my body. I know now that my body is a temple, and how I treat it matters (I Cor. 6:19). I know when we forgive others it gives us freedom. Harboring unforgiveness in our hearts only hurts us. I also believe we can forgive ourselves. Even though, as someone pointed out to me, it is not in the Bible. I do read in the Bible that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:39). To me, this implies that we need to love ourselves to love others well. Doesn’t that include forgiveness? How can we forgive unless we love? Likewise, how can we love unless we forgive? Both ourselves and others. It was a big part of my healing; learning how to love, forgive, and trust myself. And because we are made in the image of God and we are to follow Jesus’ example on how to live, I think since He loves us, forgives us, and shows us grace, that we can do the same; not only for others but for ourselves.
Like I have said before, forgiveness does not mean we forget. Remembering is an important part of moving forward while not repeating the same mistakes. Our scars are a part of how we once were, but they also serve as a beautiful reminder of who we are now, through Christ. A friend recently gave me a broken heart, mended with gold. She said it is representative of our brokenness and how the honest parts of our past should be celebrated, not hidden. It is a Japanese art form called Kintsugi and is used to mend broken pottery with gold to stand for all the beautiful things that have unique imperfections. Just like our scars, wounds, and imperfections are our beauty. The little card with it says, “You’re more beautiful for having been broken.”
This reminded me of a message I received from the Holy Spirit a few years ago after my accident.
“Scars are another symbol of remembrance. My hands tell a love story. Your scars mark the day I saved you and brought you back to Myself and the Father. We won the battle together. You are a victor in Christ. Let your scars tell your story. Our stories collide. The scars of your past mistakes and sins run deep but My scars cover all of yours in love for complete healing.”
God has restored even the most broken parts of my past and redeemed them in ways I could have never imagined. If my pain and brokenness can be used to help others – it is worth it. That is what makes it even more beautiful. I believe God chose me for such a time as this (Esther 4:14). I had a professor that said all our past painful experiences are keys on a keychain. God uses them to unlock the hearts of others. I love that.
There are many names for God. So many I will only give a few examples, but you can do a little research on your own to discover them. They all point to God’s character and people in the OT used them to describe the God they encountered. God’s name is His promise to dwell within His people (John 17:6). His divine name reveals God’s power, authority, and holiness. El, which is commonly prefaced by other names of God is simply a generic term for God or deity, used as a synonym for Yahweh. El-Shaddai: “God of the Mountains” or “The Almighty God”; El-Roi: the “God who sees me”; El-Olam: “God of Eternity”; Yahweh-Jireh: “The Lord will provide”; Yahweh-Me kaddish: “The Lord sanctifies” (reveals His holiness, set apart); I would be remiss not to list others such as King, Judge, Shepherd, God the Father, Abba, and so many more from the NT.
At one time His name was so revered people did not dare to even speak it, YHWH – Yahweh. When writing the Hebrew language, they did not include vowels. Readers supplied them as they read. Reverence for the divine name led to the practice of avoiding its use. This was mostly out of respect and fear. It was too holy to pronounce at all, so they began to use other words such as Adonai, which means “Lord” or the Latin form: Jehovah, but it was not a real word at the time, or the El alternative used above.[1]
After I started writing this message, I watched “Christmas with the Chosen” and they too were explaining the use of the name Yahweh. The speaker said the people were afraid if they spoke it their tongue would rot and fall out. This comes from a couple of passages in the OT and is one of the Ten Commandments given to us by God Himself. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain” (Exod. 20:7, ESV). Also, “Whoever blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him. The sojourner as well as the native, when he blasphemes the Name, shall be put to death” (Lev. 24:16). (Emphasis added) The NLT version uses the word ‘misuse’ instead of the word ‘blaspheme’- which means to do anything that makes God appear insignificant or worthless.
People in the OT did not take it lightly, and neither should we today. It has become widespread practice to use His name flippantly in everyday occurrences. Which, I believe, is taking His name and making it appear to be worthless. The name of God is Holy – sacred- hallowed. When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He began by showing them God’s name is to be kept Holy and exalted (Matt. 6:9). The notes in my study Bible also explain Exod. 20:7, saying it refers to someone taking a deceptive oath in God’s name, involving God’s name to sanction an act in which the person is being dishonest, and it bans the use of God’s name when associated with sinful acts, religious rituals, magic, irreverently, or disrespectfully. In this instance, Yahweh is warning Israel against the use of His name as if it were disconnected from His person, presence, and power.
Some people want to dismiss the OT Scripture and instructions saying they do not apply to us, but I disagree. There are many OT references in the NT that we can take instruction from today. The Ten Commandments are still relevant in shaping our moral character. As we understand the OT better, it foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. It is a beautiful love story of God’s redemption plan for His people, who He wants to be in a relationship with…which is us.
My dad, who was a minister, taught me that Reverend is a title reserved for God alone -not man. We tend to exalt ourselves in ways that are only for God, the great I AM, as well as disregard the deity of His holy name in everyday language. If this is a habit you have picked up over the years and not thought much about it, I would challenge you to pray about it. Ask God to help you change any bad habits and reveal to you any areas in your heart that you can clean up to make more room for His holy presence. It is worth the effort, because God is worth it, and He says you are worth it. He values you and wants to be in a closer relationship with you.
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Is. 6:3)!
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Ps. 51:10).
[1] Chad Brand. ed., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, (Nashville: B & H Publishing, 2015).
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged, together with its 1993 Addenda Section, includes some 470,000 entries. (Not including the 455 new words Webster added this year).
Words roll off the tongue with great ease never pausing to realize their ramifications until it is too late. Regret sets in for some of us, others not so much. Words can pierce the heart like an arrow that cuts deep into our soul or create a smile on a sad face. They can sting like a bee or soothe like honey.
Words can bring comfort and hope. They come to life on the page and paint a vivid picture in our minds. They take us to the forest to climb a tree or to the stream to catch a fish on a summer day.
The right words, spoken with the right intention, are like a powerful weapon. Words can shape who we think we are. We should handle our words with great care as they can caress or distress. Words are a gift, if used properly they can create a new perspective and change a life.
Words take us on a journey without moving from our comfy chair. They can bring color to our lives. They shoot off the fingertips onto the page like darts trying to hit the mark. They can be eloquent, blunt, kind, or harsh. They can wash over us, drown us in sorrow or lift us up.
I want my words to paint a picture of what Christ did for me on the cross and how beautiful the journey to freedom has been. A victory shared with others is a glorious gift. My words are meant to shine a light on the truth of God’s love and the knowledge that can help others act against a dark world. To live for Christ is freedom and a victory won that leads others to the kingdom of His glory.
Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer. 2 Timothy 2:15-17, NLT
This is a great message from a past Southland Devo – the first scripture referenced was James 1:26, which is another great reminder about keeping a rein on our tongue. “The Bible is painfully clear that if God doesn’t have our heart, it’s going to show up in our words.”
There are so many references to words in the Bible it was hard for me to choose which scriptures to include, so here are a few of my favorites.
“So, encourage each other with these words.” I Thessalonians 4:18, NLT
“Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.” Proverbs 18:20, NLT
“The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.” Proverbs 10:11, NLT
“…the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.” James 3:5, NLT
Elephants have always been very prominent in my life. I loved them even as a child. Not that I had one for a pet or anything. I just thought they were fascinating. I even remember riding one at the circus one year. I let them go for a little while and now they have marched back into my life with exponential meaning.
I sought out some interesting facts about them. Did you know the male and female herds do not stay together, for the most part? The matriarch leads the female herd until she dies. Then her oldest daughter or a sister takes her place at the front of the line.
The older females are known to be full of wisdom and great at leading herds away from potential dangers. In other words, they are mature female leaders of the pack with abundant knowledge on helping the younger elephants survive in the wild.
Their large ears aid them in hearing the call of another elephant from their herd. They can hear the distress call from over five miles away, as well as any predators that could threaten their young ones.
This got me thinking. Aren’t we supposed to do the same thing as mature adult women of Christ? We can lead other women to the truths of God’s word, share our wisdom, and experiences with our friends, family, and young girls to steer them away from the potential dangers of this world.
If we could use our keen sense of hearing God’s voice and be obedient to His call, we can show up when others need our help and support them through Christian love. The best leaders are those who are servants, to Christ first, and then to others by putting their knowledge into action and setting good examples as role models.
If you have not watched the new Disney Nature series on Elephants, I highly recommend it. God’s design and intricate details are fascinating.
“Wherever you go, I will go; where you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Ruth 1:16
I recently watched 7 hours of DEI video training sessions as a requirement for work. Now while this is a necessary endeavor in our world today, I found them lacking in riveting content. There were nuggets of truth along the way that gave me better insight, but a common theme that I noticed was the dismissal of the Golden Rule which at once sent up a red flag in the ‘man’s way of thinking versus God’s ultimate authority’ section of my brain.
You are probably familiar with it but in case you need a reminder, Jesus stated, “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them” or “do to others as you would like them to do to you” (emphasis mine), (Matt. 7:12; Luke 6:31, ESV). This has become known as the golden rule. I have heard that interpreted as thinking of something you wish someone would do for you and taking the initiative and doing it for them.
The platinum rule, which I had never heard before, states that we should treat others the way ‘they want to be treated.’ This stood out to me like a sore thumb. I began to research where it originated. I first found credit given to Dave Kerpen, who wrote it in his book, The Art of People in 2016. But then I found another source who credited Tony Alessandra and Michael O’Conner in a 1996 publication of their book by the very title, The Platinum Rule.
I began to pray for discernment and search Scriptures for God’s truth on the matter because frankly, anything that tries to dismiss the Word of God does not sit well with me. When reading the verses in the Bible, we must also look at the verses before and after, not just pull one verse out as a stand-alone. When you read the pre-cursor and what follows, we find that love is the most crucial factor to the equation. Treating people, the way we want to be treated comes from a place of love, which should come naturally to those believers who love God with all their hearts, minds, and souls and who love their neighbor as themselves (Luke 10:27). We must go beyond this one verse to realize the lesson is love; a fundamental ethic that governs all behavior (Rom. 12:14-21). Jesus is our model through His self-sacrificial love for others.
If people’s priorities are out of order, then they may need a different guide, such as the man-made platinum rule, to know how to treat others. But if we are in alignment with God, it will come naturally to treat others with love. I read a list Mr. Kerpen wrote that included 101 things for which he was grateful. I am not putting him down and am happy that he is grateful for so many things including God, but it did reveal where his priorities lie as God made the list at number 55. According to his list, even the sun and planet made the # 2 slot. My question is, who created the sun and planet? Even the Mets made it on the list above God at # 26.
If we are not loving God more than anything else, and loving people as ourselves, then maybe we can accept the platinum rule. But not all of us are in that category. Instead of dismissing one over the other, it could be an ‘AND’ instead of a ‘either/or” concept. Although the platinum rule is not biblical, and Jesus’ own words are conclusive and attribute to the Golden Rule; there could be one rule for believers who follow Christ and one for the secular population who haven’t experienced the love of Christ or understand how to love others as Christ’s example tells us to even love our enemies as ourselves.
But in my book, there is only one set of rules, One God, One authority, and One Word, but man will always attempt to make his own rules to suit himself when he doesn’t understand or accept God’s rule and authority.
I believe we can use this filter to decide the best way to treat others: Ask ourselves if it is God-honoring to both parties? Are we seeking the approval of man or God (Gal. 1:19)? Love is the key factor, and the Golden Rule demonstrates this best since we have Christ to model it after and can share the love that God bestows on us to everyone we meet.
In all fairness, I do not know these authors, nor have I read their books. I am only using the tiny bit of information I netted in my search as a basis for my comments. You could say I literally judged a book by its cover. However, the point I want to make is that we should not be so quick to dismiss God’s Word, especially those spoken directly by Jesus, for something fabricated by man. I read that book daily.
On an early morning run this week, I met an ominous sky lurking over the horizon and a wind that was brewing something that would surely send the leaves flurrying to the ground. I realized my last chance this season to capture the rich array of fall colors that lined my streets, was in that very moment. So, I ran back to the house and grabbed my phone so I could finish my run as well without lugging the larger camera around my neck. The bright yellows and oranges stood out even more prominent behind a brilliant fuchsia skirt that adorned their trunks.
Having snapped several photos at different angles, I headed back in a sprint towards the house, thinking about how these trees may very well be barren the next time I see them. The sharp contrast of winter is right around the corner and with it will come death to many plants, trees, and flowers. But Spring always follows and brings with it new life. God is always faithful and even in nature we see how things must die to receive restoration; made new in a different season of their life.
We see it in other parts of God’s creation as well such as the caterpillar whose transformation is remarkable. An entirely new creature that lives a vastly different life than the caterpillar. It is the same with us. We must die to self to receive the new life Christ offers that creates a new season of life now and an eternal Springtime season to come (Eph. 4:20-24, ESV). We can experience transformation that makes us feel like the butterfly living quite a different life than the one we lived. As the Bible Project put it in a video I watched recently, “the gospel is an announcement about Jesus that opens up a new reality.” In our new reality, we receive a new perspective, and a new life that changes everything, for the better. I am grateful every day for my new reality.
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