Walk in the Spirit

There is a quiet work taking place within us that others may never see.  The Holy Spirit knows what is happening in the deepest areas of our hearts, even in those places we may not want anyone—including ourselves—to examine too closely.

For this reason, we need to remain close to the Holy Spirit.  He helps us discern what is true and what is false when we come in contact with others and when we examine our own hearts.  We don’t want to be led astray by false pretenses, persuasive words, or rehearsed rhetoric.  When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, we are better prepared to recognize deception and resist the spirit of evil.

The Bible warns us that in the last days many will be deceived into believing a lie.  Jesus gave us this warning: “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” — Matthew 24:24

We cannot afford to become spiritually careless.  Satan is a deceiver, and he will use whatever means he can to turn our hearts and minds away from God.  We must remain vigilant and wise as children of God.

I don’t know about you, but I refuse to fall into that number of deceived individuals.  I want to walk in the Spirit each day so I will not fall prey to Satan’s temptations.

But walking in the Spirit involves more than recognizing deception around us.  It also means allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal what is happening within us.

God sees beyond the surface.  He sees beyond our words, our appearance, and even the things we may successfully hide from other people.  He sees deeply within the hidden areas of our hearts—the areas we may want to hold on to and keep hidden.

Perhaps we need to ask ourselves: “Is there something I am hiding that I need victory over?”

God is faithful and just to forgive our sins when we confess them to Him.  The Holy Spirit may reveal things within us that need to change.  But once He reveals them, we have a choice.  Are we willing to surrender those things to God, or do we want to continue holding on to them?

Perhaps another question we should ask ourselves is: “Do I really want these areas revealed?”

That may be an uncomfortable question, but it is an important one.

Sometimes we want God to bless us, strengthen us, and lead us, while at the same time we want to keep certain areas of our lives under our own control.  Yet God already knows what is there.  He is omniscient—He knows all things.  We cannot hide anything from Him.

So how can we walk in the Spirit and move the mountains that challenge us each day if we are constantly wavering in our minds?  A vacillating mind can leave us standing dangerously close to the edge, where one wrong step may send us plunging into a trap that Satan has prepared.

There is safety in God’s Word.  There is freedom in surrender.  And there is strength when we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our thoughts, our choices, and our desires.

Let us walk in God’s power, with His Word hidden in our hearts, so that we will not sin against Him.  Let us be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to search those hidden places and show us what needs to change.

We don’t have to live in fear of what God may reveal.  What He reveals, He can help us overcome.

Let us walk in freedom.  Let us walk in victory.  Let us walk by faith.  Let us walk in the Spirit of the Living God.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Doers--Not Pretenders of the Faith

What am I talking about here—doers, not pretenders?  What is a doer of the faith?  It must have to do with something pertaining to a divine nature, or walking in some kind of positive attitude and disciplined behavior.  It sounds to me like it could be at the opposite side, or opposite end, of a pretender.

A pretender is someone who pretends to be something they are not.  They may look the part, talk the part, and even convince others that they are something they are not.  But what happens when the pressure is on?  What comes out of a person then?

Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

Our actions often reveal what is truly within us.  It is one thing to say we have faith, but another thing altogether to live it out.

James 1:22 tells us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

That is pretty straightforward.  We can hear the Word of God, read the Word of God, and even talk about the Word of God—but are we doing what it says?

I believe being a doer of the faith means putting our faith into action.  It means allowing what we believe to influence how we live, how we treat others, how we respond to difficult situations, and even how we conduct ourselves when no one else is watching.

It does not mean we will never make mistakes.  We are still human, and we will stumble from time to time.  But there should be a desire within us to get back up, ask God for forgiveness when we need to, and continue moving forward with Him.

What comes out of us when life squeezes us?

James 3:11 asks, “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”

That question makes me think.  What is flowing from my life?  Am I allowing the things of God to flow through me, or am I allowing the things of the world to contaminate what should be coming from within?

Perhaps the real question is not whether we call ourselves Christians, but whether our lives demonstrate that we are following Christ.

Are we doers—or merely pretenders?  Are we living what we say we believe?  Are we allowing God’s Word to change us from the inside out?

I don’t believe God is happy with people who simply pretend to have faith.  He is looking for people who will trust Him, obey Him, and allow Him to work through their lives.

Being a doer of the faith is not about putting on a show for other people.  It is about having a genuine relationship with God and allowing that relationship to affect every part of our lives.

The world may not always understand us.  People may question why we believe what we believe or why we choose to live differently.  But our responsibility is not to pretend.  Our responsibility is to remain faithful.

If we truly belong to Christ, shouldn’t our lives reflect Him?

Perhaps we should occasionally stop and examine ourselves—not to condemn ourselves, but to honestly ask God to show us what needs to change.

So, let us not merely be hearers of the Word.  Let us be doers.  Let us put our faith into action.

Let us allow God to work in us, through us, and around us so that others can see something genuine—not a performance, not a pretense, but the evidence of a life being changed by God.

Then we can travel the road to heaven with Jesus, with our heads held high as children of the Most High God—not pretending to be His, but living as those who truly belong to Him.

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Mercy and Grace

I’ve written many thoughts regarding God’s amazing grace and the wonderful changes that take place when He forgives our sins.  But I realized this morning that I seldom mention the mercy God showed me before my conversion, when I became part of the family of God.

I look back and marvel at how God overshadowed me and protected me from numerous close calls when the possibility of injury or death seemed to be at the door, banging, wanting to devour me in whatever way the spirit of darkness could contrive.  But God said, “No!”

I believe the Lord not only heard the prayers of my parents and older siblings; He honored their prayers, providing me with mercy and undeserved grace by sparing my life, even while I was totally separated from Him.

To show you how much God loves us, He showed me mercy even during the years I was running from Him.  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were working together in my life, even when I thought I was totally on my own.  All three had a part in overshadowing my coming and going, even though I thought I was making my own decisions.

Were it not for God’s mercy and unmerited grace, I might have continued my trek down the lonely road to destruction, where total heartache exists.  Because of God’s eternal love, His blessings sustained me during my rebellious years when I was not serving Him.

It wasn’t by chance.  God’s love and mercy were with me before I first loved him, even though I was lost in sin.  He knew where I was at all times, even though I thought I was hiding from Him.

I’m a true believer that prayer changes things.  I believe the prayers of my parents and siblings mattered.  God heard them, and in His mercy, He answered them in ways I may never fully understand.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8

Had it not been for His mercy and grace, hope would have eluded me.  But God is a merciful God who always goes the extra mile in His desire to bring us into the light of His love.

God’s mercy was reaching for me long before I realized I was lost.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

I Don't Wanna Hear It

I was not very gracious to my dad when I spoke the words in the title to him.

I went over to Mom and Dad’s house to visit one evening when Dad started in.  What he was saying went over like a lead balloon.  If my memory serves me right, his words began with, “You’ve got to get in church!”

But the one-way conversation didn’t stop there.  He continued with more finger-pointing when I interrupted him.

“I don’t wanna hear it!”

I should have stopped there, but I didn’t.  “If I have to listen to this every time I come over, I’m not coming back!”

I should have replied with more finesse and respect, but I was rough around the edges at that time.  I usually spoke my mind without considering the impact my words might have on those on the receiving end.

Dad didn’t have to tell me.  I already knew I was running from God.  I knew the miserable state I was in, but I wasn’t ready to face it or change direction.  In my heart, I knew God was the answer to my troubled life, but I didn’t want to hear it.  Nor was I ready to do His way.

Everything went quiet.

I saw the look on Mom’s face and immediately regretted my words.  Dad wasn’t trying to condemn me.  He was concerned for my well-being and wanted me to go to heaven.

I was a young man who thought I had all the answers.  Those who knew me would probably say I was hardheaded, brash at times, and determined to do my own thing—with or without someone’s permission.

I was strong-willed and incorrigible.

The people I associated with were certainly bad influences, yet I wanted to be like them, and I was succeeding.  I had been deceived by Satan into thinking that being tough was macho.

But it wasn’t.

It didn’t take long for that environment to change my personality.  I was becoming someone I wasn’t meant to be—angry, frustrated, and increasingly distant from God.

As I look back on my past failures, I can see how my life was teetering on a cliff overlooking a deep pit of despair and anguish.  I took out my frustration on everyone I rubbed shoulders with.

Sadly, I felt the pangs of sorrow most every day.  I desperately needed spiritual support and guidance, but I refused to give in to the gentle call of the Holy Spirit.

I didn’t want to hear it.

When everything else failed to satisfy that gnawing, empty feeling inside me, I finally found Jesus.  Or, more precisely, He found me—sinking in the cesspool of iniquity, going down for the third and last time.

When He cleaned me up, inside and out, everything changed!  Peace like a river flooded my soul.

Can you guess who I called after God forgave my sins?  Yes!  My dad!

Mom and Dad’s prayers had finally been answered, and they were thrilled beyond words.  The Prodigal Son had found his way home after wandering in the wilderness of heartache.

I thank God for praying parents and praying siblings who didn’t give up on me.

Looking back now, I realize something I could not see then: my parents’ persistence was not condemnation—it was love.  They saw what I could not see.  They knew I was heading in the wrong direction, and they kept praying.

If God could redeem my lost soul, He can do it for anyone.

Perhaps you are praying for a loved one right now.  Maybe that person seems as far from God as I once was.  Maybe they don’t want to hear it.

Don’t give up hope.  Don’t stop praying.  Prayer changes things.

James 5:16 says, “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

One day, you too may rejoice over that lost soul who came home because of God’s mercy and saving grace.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

A Stranger in My Own Body

Before I experienced the new birth, after praying for God to forgive my sins, my body was aging before its time.  Allow me to explain.

Putting the wrong things into one’s body can cause negative reactions, just as sin can bring negative consequences to one’s soul.  Both can take a toll on a person’s mind, body, and spirit.  I believe our lifestyle can have a direct influence on our health.

A person who is allergic to tobacco smoke, yet continues to smoke, runs the risk of bringing negative consequences upon the body.  Someone who chooses to put their liver at risk through alcohol use is, in my opinion, choosing unwisely.  I am certainly not judging those who indulge.  I am a man who was headed down that same road when God spoke to my heart and asked, “Is it worth it?”

My dad was a slave to tobacco and alcohol before God delivered him from those habits that had him bound, as though he were in chains and couldn’t break free.  Sadly, I was heading down the same road he had traveled.

I can say that it was a wide road to the destruction of my body.

I usually use the illustration of the two roads to bring attention to the two roads regarding our souls.  One road, the narrow road, leads to everlasting life with God, while the wide road leads to destruction and eternal separation from Him.  But I don’t think I’ve ever written about the wide road leading to the destruction of the body through substance abuse.

I’ve heard the expression, “You are what you eat.”  But what about the things we take into our bodies that can harm us?  Couldn’t that also be a wide road to unnecessary suffering?  I believe it can.

I thank God often that He showed me a better way—the right way—to travel.

No longer do I have a chronic cough or have to worry about my liver.  I’m like a stranger in my own body.

My soul has put off the old man—the old way of living—and I now live in a healthier body with a new outlook on life.  I’m living life with gusto rather than depending on habits to get me through the challenges of each day.  My intake of those “get-me-byes” was unnecessary in the first place. 

I am a new creation.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

The new birth is about bringing life to our minds, bodies, and spirits rather than allowing the darkness of destructive habits to destroy our bodies, relationships, and so much more.

Like my dad, God broke the bonds that had held me captive for so long.

I’ve been getting used to my new body ever since Jesus saved me.  No longer do I find it necessary to influence it with toxic things in an attempt to find some kind of lasting satisfaction.  Take it from someone who knows both sides of the story: the Lord satisfies me just fine.  I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I couldn’t ask for anything greater than being a child of Almighty God.  I want more of Him each day.

Scripture tells us, “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” — James 4:8

The more of Him I receive, the less I am influenced by Satan’s temptations to ever return to the life that gave me nothing but grief.  The door to that horrific life is closed and locked.

Before I became a Christian, I asked my dad how he stopped smoking and drinking.  He exclaimed, “I put them down and never picked ‘em up again!”

The Holy Spirit gave him the ability and power to overcome and resist temptation.  He had a made-up mind—a new mind and heart in Christ.

I’ve experienced that same power, and I thank God for it.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13

I’m loving being like a stranger in my own body now that God has set me free from the bondage of temptation.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Bits and Pieces

Whenever my wife gets home from shopping, she kicks off her shoes.  I wear mine from “can’t to can’t,” as my dad would say—from the time I can’t see in the morning until I can’t see at night.  I only take them off then I go to bed.  All three of my kids and their spouses take off their shoes whenever they visit.

Why am I boring you with all this?

One evening, while getting myself a glass of water, I dropped the glass on the kitchen floor, and it shattered into bits and pieces.  Sharp shards were everywhere.  Immediately, I thought about my wife’s bare feet.  What a clumsy move!  I was upset with myself, wondering if I would be able to sweep up all the bits and pieces scattered across the floor.

So far, so good—no cut feet.

Thinking back, and hoping my wife and kids wouldn’t step on a piece of glass I had missed, it reminded me of the times I mistreated people with bits and pieces of my own brokenness—not in good ways.  I was unhappy and took it out on most everyone around me.  As they say, “I was not a happy camper.”

It seemed that life was throwing me nothing but lemons.  And in the state of mind I was in, I was not ready—or even willing—to make lemonade.  I was plagued with discontentment each and every day.  My whole mind, body, and spirit were suffering.

I needed a drink of clean, refreshing water to wash away the sour taste of sin that lingered in my mouth, so to speak.  Peace of mind and steadfastness in the face of adversity were missing.  I was like a dead man walking—not able to rid myself of the stench that followed me everywhere.  It was the rotten smell of sin.

Try as I might, in my own strength, I couldn’t escape the habits that possessed my better judgment.  This boy was in bondage.

Bits and pieces of sin seemed to mound up like you would see at a city dump—stinking to high heaven.  But in my case, the One in heaven was not pleased with my lifestyle.  How could I even hope to find lasting peace while living in the pigpen of disobedience?

It wasn’t until I realized that temporary pleasures were void of what I really needed that I turned my attention to the One whom Scripture calls the Prince of Peace—Jesus Christ.

When I asked God to forgive my sins, all of those bits and pieces of shards that were cutting my heart into shreds were swept away, just like the time I swept the kitchen floor to remove the bits and pieces of the vessel I had broken.

Jesus mended my brokenness and made me a whole vessel in Him, without all the sharp edges that kept me in pain.  In doing so, I am less likely to hurt those around me because of the smoothing-out process of becoming a born-again Christian.

God is helping me not to offend or hurt others, replacing the odor of sin with the fragrance of the Rose of Sharon through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

God threw away the shards of sin—all the bits and pieces, big and small—casting them into the depths of the sea, never to remember them again.  What an amazing God we serve, who is willing to forgive us and cast our sins into the depths of the sea!

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

"...He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.  He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities.  You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." — Micah 7:18-19

Written by,

Papa Boyd

In One Fell Swoop

The phrase “in one fell swoop” means doing something all at once—in a single, sudden, and complete action.  Wow!  I guess it could suggest that a person might deliberately, and with malicious intentions, swoop in and deceive or take advantage of someone else.  This very well could be the case regarding unscrupulous people.  But for the most part, I think most of us are privy to their tactics, especially when they try to scam us with false emails and texts that appear legitimate.

The one we really must be leery of is not so much a person, although people can certainly be used to deceive and plunder what we have.  It is the spirit of antichrist that can, in one fell swoop, catch us off guard and hit us hard spiritually.

Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Yes, people can deliberately deceive us, but ultimately, we wrestle against the powers of evil.  It’s shameful to lose possessions and money through deception, but it is far worse to allow ourselves to be drawn away from our relationship with the Prince of Peace—Jesus Christ—by being beguiled by Satan to sin, as Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden.

Someone may say, “Oh, that could never happen to me!”

Remember, the first man and woman walked and talked with God in the cool of the evening.  I’m just saying that we need to be wise and attentive.  With all the temptation and hullabaloo going on around us, how much more important is it that we walk in the Spirit daily and remain vigilant and alert to the sneaky workings of Satan, lest we ourselves be taken advantage of in many different ways.

A comme ci, comme ca, or so-so, attitude with God leaves room for darkness to squeeze into our lives.  The light of God’s Word dispels darkness and helps keep it away.  This light helps us see clearly where to place our next step and enables us to recognize the enemy, even when he appears to be harmless.

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

We don’t want to be caught unaware and find ourselves entangled in Satan’s snares in one fell swoop.

2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

God, through His Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit, equips us to stand against the battles we face in the spiritual world of darkness.  We can stand protected as we put on the whole armor of God, spoken of in Ephesians 6:11-17.

Scripture assures us in Romans 8:31, “If God be for us, who can be against us?”

So, let us not become complacent.  Let us walk in the Spirit, stay in the light of God’s Word, and remain watchful.  Satan may try to catch us off guard in one fell swoop, but we do not have to face his schemes unprotected.  God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His armor—and in Him, we can stand.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Filled to Capacity

This title, Filled to Capacity, can reveal different meanings.  You may ask, “Filled to capacity with what?”  My mind goes in several directions, so let’s see where it takes us.

I want the time we spend together to mean something.  My desire for these thoughts is to provide food for your mind—something that might help fill it with thoughts that will help you face the challenges of life.

My first thought immediately goes to the night God forgave my sins.

I was groping and searching for something, or Someone, to direct me in the right way and help me find peace for my vacillating mind.  It seemed I was wishy-washy in all my ways.  After kneeling beside my bed and praying for the first time in years, the more I prayed for forgiveness of my sins, the more fervent and intense my prayer became.  With every word, I felt a greater desire for Christ.

I knew the Lord was the answer to life’s struggles and that He would give me direction and purpose.

All of a sudden, my bedroom seemed to fill with the presence of God.  I felt Him all over me.  Not only did He fill every corner of the room, but it was as though I had removed the top of my scalp and the Spirit of God entered into me, filling my entire being to capacity—every corner of my heart filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit.

There was no doubt in my mind that God had forgiven my sins.  A heavy burden I had carried for years was lifted from my shoulders.  I remember taking a deep breath and exclaiming aloud, “I can breathe!”

The peace described in Philippians 4:7 seemed to flood every part of me: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

And 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”

We are not saved by feelings, but because of the promise found in God’s Word.  1 John 1:9 tells us: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Love not only filled the room where I was praying; love filled my heart to capacity.

Another thought comes to mind.  Scripture tells us that when we give, God will pour blessings upon us that we cannot contain—filled to capacity and running over.

Luke 6:38 says: “Give, and it will be given to you;  good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

We cannot out-give God.  He has a storehouse full of blessings.

If you have found that everything else has failed to bring you contentment, happiness, and peace of mind, give Jesus a chance to reveal Himself to you and show you the love He has to offer.  You will not be disappointed.

He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The Holy Spirit will not leave you comfortless.  He will fill you to capacity with His love.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Hiding Place

I would venture to say that if you thought about your childhood, you could probably remember one of the games you played with the neighborhood kids.  No doubt, hide-and-seek was one of them.  I think that was one of my favorites.  I had the perfect hiding place, as I’m sure you did, too.

Back then, parents felt safe allowing their children to remain outdoors after dark.  Our town was virtually crime-free when I was growing up.  Now, years later, it seems that everywhere you go, a person must remain aware of what is happening around them, constantly looking over their shoulder.  It’s sad, but true.

Cars were mistakenly considered by some to be somewhat of a safe haven in my day—a good hiding place, as it were, should something unexpected happen.  But now, in the day we live in, unscrupulous individuals want what is not theirs.  Cars can become easy targets, quickly turned into money through chop shops.

I believe, as Christians, we need not walk in fear.  “Perfect love casts out fear.”  But this does not mean we can let down our guard in this day and age.  We must be aware of our surroundings, cautious, and mindful not to take unnecessary chances.  Does God expect us to be wise and not tempt fate?  Absolutely.

I don’t know what the general public believes about angels, but I wholeheartedly believe in them—those who minister to and protect the children of God.  I sincerely believe I have encountered angels in my lifetime.  That will be a story for another writing, for another day.

The Bible speaks of angels in Psalm 34:7: “The angel of the Lord encamps all round those who fear Him, and delivers them.”

Hebrews 1:14 asks: “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

And Psalm 91:11 says: “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.”

Perhaps there is more to a hiding place than we realize.  As children, we looked for a place where we could hide from the person who was “it.”  As adults, we may look for places where we can feel safe from the dangers that surround us.  But as Christians, there is a hiding place that is greater than any physical place we could ever find.

God Himself can be our refuge.

When the world around us seems uncertain, when fear tries to take hold, and when we feel the need to look over our shoulder, we can remember that our ultimate safety is not found in a car, a house, or even the perfect hiding place.  Our confidence is found in the One who watches over us.

There is no better hiding place than being in the presence of God.

Psalm 46:1 — “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Speak Peace Over Fear

President Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” during his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933.  I’m sure this is the mindset of the majority of people who are aware of—and perhaps have experienced firsthand—confrontations with those who have chosen the darker paths of society: those who run our streets at night and even during daylight hours, seeking whom they may intimidate, threaten, or steal from.

But wait.  Doesn’t the Bible say something about love having power over fear?  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

I ask, “Who was perfect in every way when He walked the earth?”  It was none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God—God incarnate in the flesh.  In Him is perfect love.

When a person is in Christ, walking with Him daily, they can walk in His peace rather than being controlled by fear.

The day Jesus’ disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, a raging storm came out of nowhere.  Waves began crashing over the boat, threatening to swamp it.  These men feared for their lives, but the Giver of Life was asleep in the stern.

Jesus arose and rebuked the winds and the sea.  The elements obeyed His command when He said, “Peace, be still!”  Then He gently rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith: “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”  (Matthew 8:26).

Their trust in God had faltered in a moment of fear, worry, and doubt.  Jesus showed them that even in the midst of a raging storm, faith must rise above fear.

We may not be facing a literal storm in these worrisome days, but the storms of life can rise up without warning at any time.  They can leave us feeling overwhelmed, with fear coming in like a flood.

But when a child of God gains control of their emotions and composure after the initial shock of a situation, they can choose to speak peace over fear and begin walking in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.

Fear must bow to the Prince of Peace when we call upon the name of Jesus.

The next time fear raises up and it becomes difficult to focus, call upon the name of Jesus.  Speak peace over fear in His name, and remember that the One who calmed the storm on Galilee is still the same Jesus today.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Before the Birth of Beginnings...

The births of my three children were amazing events to behold—amazingly so.  Words fall short when trying to convey the feelings I experienced—the beginnings—their first breaths of life on earth.

During all my wife’s pregnancies, the nine months leading up to those final days of delivery were exciting, a bit scary, daunting, and, did I mention, scary?  There was much preparation before the birth of beginnings, to say the least.

Every one of our children was beautiful in every way.  I was a proud Christian daddy, excited to bring them up in a household that loved the Lord.  From the moment I saw my children, I loved them deeply.

No doubt, God was excited before the birth of beginnings.  The cosmos, everything else He created, and those into whom He breathed life were pleasing to Him.  Scripture tells us throughout Genesis 1 that God’s creation was “good” multiple times, concluding that it was “very good” at the end of creation in Genesis 1:31.

From conception, God knew us in our mother’s womb and loved us dearly.  But sin separated us from our Creator and broke His heart—redemption was needed.  He loved humanity so much that He gave His only Son to die for our sins.  Jesus took our place and was crucified because of mankind’s disobedience and sin.

Before the birth of Jesus and His beginning on earth, God had a Master Plan to restore hearts that had become cold and hardened like stone—to make them hearts of flesh once again, able to love God.

Scripture tells us in Ezekiel 36:26: “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.”

It would be like we had never sinned, much like in the beginning of creation, when the Creator walked in the cool of the evening with Adam and Eve.  They loved God in the Garden of Eden before they fell after being tempted by the serpent, Satan, and ate the fruit that God had commanded them not to eat.

I’m thankful for His perfect plan, and that God had mercy and provided His amazing grace to rekindle the broken relationship between Himself and a wretch like me.

He gave His Son, who was perfect in every way.  Jesus takes away the sin of the world by serving as the ultimate, sinless sacrifice—the “Lamb of God.”  He bore humanity’s punishment and bridged the separation between God and people.

And just as the birth of each of my children brought a new beginning into my life, we can experience the new birth—the birth of new beginnings—when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

All Is Amiss...

The title of this writing, All Is Amiss, would be quite a negative statement if I were to use it in a sentence.  If I did, some people might reject it, viewing the words as inappropriate or out of place.  They may think it is a phrase running parallel with some kind of passive nature.  When trying to grasp the content and supposed meaning of the title, I would think such people might feel that their hope has flown out of an open window.

It reminds me of many people who lack peace and lasting joy in their lives when sin has thrown them out that same window.  Without God, all is amiss.  Life loses its meaning.

I use the word all because sin can steal everything that is good from those who listen to Satan’s lies.  They become deceived into thinking that what the world has to offer is what matters most.  But this concept is stagnant thinking, lacking true hope for tomorrow’s challenges.  All is amiss.

People can become buried alive in their worldly desires, much like being caught in a horrific avalanche.  When hope disappears, it is like trying to find one’s way through blinding fog—the fog of discontentment.  False promises are hatched by Satan and can grow rapidly in the darkness of hopelessness.

If we listen to the false rhetoric originating from the pit of hell, life becomes all amiss.  Hope for a better tomorrow can vanish when people pillow their heads at night, especially when they persist in listening to deceptive desires that lead them astray.

Believing that worldly pleasure is the answer to the soul’s hunger and thirst for something substantial—something lasting—is part of the deception.  People are seeking something, or Someone, who can provide true meaning rather than leaving everything amiss.

Jesus Christ is that Someone—the only answer.

The forgiveness of sin is God’s way of providing hope, lasting peace, and a reason to look forward to another day in Christ.  A person without the Lord can find true contentment when they give themselves to Jesus.

It is like trading a twenty-five-cent ride on a merry-go-ground, going nowhere, for a one-way, first-class ticket on the “Glory-land Flight” to heaven—bought and paid for by the Son of God Himself, Jesus Christ.

He died on a cross and rose victoriously from the grave, paying the full price for our sins and providing our redemption.

“All Is Amiss” will no longer be the epitaph on our tombstone or plaque.  Instead, it will read: “Redeemed Through Jesus.”

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Whose Voice Is It

When a person is not listening to their innermost conscience speaking, it is usually a time when they want to pursue something they know isn’t right, but choose to do it anyway.  So I ask, “Whose voice do you think it is?  Is it the voice of reason?  Is it the voice of wholesome living?  Or perhaps it’s the voice of someone who is seeking to devour you.”

I believe God gives us a conscience to help guide us in times of decision-making.  We can listen to what it is saying, or we can choose not to.  It’s as simple as that.  God gives us freedom of choice.  We are freewill moral agents, free to make our own choices.  He will not usurp the choices we make.

That means if we choose to disobey God’s commandments, we must take responsibility for those choices and, hopefully, learn from our mistakes.  Suffering the consequences of our actions is usually what follows.

What we call the conscience, I believe, can sometimes be that quiet, still prompting of the Holy Spirit trying to get our attention and give us direction, so that we do not have to reap what we are about to sow.

Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

It pays to listen to the voice of light—the voice of the One who loves us with a never-ending love—not the voice of darkness that seeks to destroy and take our souls.

Remember, sin loves darkness.  But God’s light—Jesus Christ—shines into the darkness and reveals sin for what it is: something that separates us from God.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t usually come on strong with a loud, annoying voice.  He is subtle, factual, and non-condemning, yet worth listening to.

Elijah encountered God not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a “still small voice.” — 1 Kings 19:11-12

What voice do you think is best, and which one will pay good dividends at the end of life’s journey?  That’s an easy question: the voice of Almighty God, the Creator of all things.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27.

So, what voice are you listening to—the one that turns up worms, or the One who turns up roses?

Jesus has often been called the Rose of Sharon.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Harmony or Confusion

I love music.  It has always been a part of my life—boys’ glee club in junior high, choir and ensemble groups in high school, and many solos through the years at special events.  Singing with trios and quartets was especially enjoyable.  We made beautiful harmony together.

It all began when I was just a young boy singing in church.  I remember singing in front of the small congregation when I was three or four years old—“Let’s Talk About Jesus,”  “Jesus Loves Me,” and other cute little choruses I knew.  When I was four or five, as memory serves me, I sang harmony for the first time with my sister, who was a few years my senior.

Not realizing what harmonizing was all about, I simply seemed comfortable having these notes in my mind.  They were familiar, as it were.  Being able to hear and sing notes that complemented a lead singer has always been a part of me.

I actually discovered this ability one day when my sister and I were waiting in the car for Mom and Dad to finish grocery shopping at a nearby grocery store.  To entertain herself and pass the time, she started singing something I knew, probably a church hymn, so I joined in.

She immediately stopped singing.

I thought she was ticked off because I was singing with her.  On the contrary!  With eyes as big as saucers, she looked at me with a stunned expression and excitedly said, “Sing that again!”

I didn’t know what she was talking about.  “Sing what?”

She continued, “I’m going to start singing, and I want you to sing the part you were just singing!”  She did, and I did, not knowing what the point of it was.  Without realizing it, I was singing harmony.  It just came naturally.

I was blessed with a God-given ability to hear and sing different harmony notes that made up beautiful chords.

Life can be like that—living in harmony.  Yet sadly, life can also become a state of confusion depending on one’s environment, living conditions, or a host of other influences.  These things can have a great impact on a person’s state of mind and on how they look at life.

It’s amazing how God gave each of us different abilities, talents, and, most assuredly, different personalities.  It would be quite boring if everyone in the world had the same character, wants, dislikes, and abilities, to name just a few traits.

I’ve heard the phrase, “Opposites attract.”  That is certainly the case with my wife and me.  We are at opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to personality, yet somehow it works perfectly in our marriage.  I think a fitting word to describe our relationship is harmony.

Scripture speaks of the human body as having many different parts, each with its own function.  The Bible uses the human body as an illustration of the body of Christ—the born-again believers who make up His church.  Different parts of the body work together in harmony to promote a healthy, functioning body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” nor can one part of the body say to another, “I wish I were you.”  Each part has its own purpose.

So should it be in the body of Christ.  Each of us should recognize our place and our God-given abilities, using them to promote harmony rather than confusion.

We need to discipline ourselves to stand in the gap where God needs us and be used in the capacity for which He has equipped us, rather than wishing we were someone else or desiring their talents or personality.

God made us a certain way—specific, unique, and just the way He wanted us to be.  He didn’t make us like everyone else.  We are special, each one of us.

God has given each of us gifts that He wants us to use.  God is all-knowing, and He has blessed us.  We simply need to recognize and accept where He has placed us in the body of Christ.

We need to learn contentment and not try to be someone else.  This positive attribute promotes harmony rather than confusion.  So why do we feel the need to be like someone else?  Actually, we shouldn’t.

Being ourselves and allowing God to use us in the capacity for which He has equipped us encourages peace and tranquility.

There was only one evangelist named Billy Graham.   God used him in an extraordinary way, but even Billy Graham could not personally reach every person who needed to hear the Gospel.  His crusades reached countless people searching for the meaning of life, but there were still people living next door, across the street, or working in the same office who needed someone close to them to share the good news.

That is where you and I come in.

Each of us is important to God’s plan and can be used by Him to spread the good news of His bountiful love.  He wants to use the personality and talents He has blessed us with, in the place He has chosen for us to be.

He doesn’t want us to be Billy Graham or someone else.  He wants us.

When we accept this calling—and accept who we are in the body of Christ—we can live in harmony rather than confusion.

Like singing with my sister when I was a little boy, our God-given gifts make it possible to produce beautiful music when we minister to lost souls who need our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Through us, God can use the gifts He has given us to help others experience harmony rather than confusion in their lives.

We can make beautiful harmony together when we find our place in the body of Christ.

One important side note: Scripture speaks of spiritual gifts given to believers.  Nine gifts are specifically listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, including the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different kinds of tongues, and the interpretation of tongues.

I haven’t thought of the following Scripture for years, until now: Romans 12:9: “Let love be without dissimulation.”

Dissimulation is the concealment of one’s true feelings under a false appearance.  In a sense, it can involve trying to appear to be someone we are not.

We need to be ourselves as God intended us to be and love other as ourselves.

When each of us allows God to use the gifts He has given us, we can complement one another rather than compete with one another.

And just like the harmony my sister and I discovered in that old grocery-store parking lot when I was a little boy, perhaps God is reminding us today that beautiful harmony can be made when each of us simply sings the part He has given us.

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Visceral Response

A visceral response is an immediate, instinctive, deeply felt reaction to something.  It often happens before a person has time to think it through logically.  It is an automatic, physical reaction to an event or emotion that seems to bypass logical thought.  I believe it to be a deep, gut-level feeling, of sorts.

For example, “I wasn’t just agitated; I was grievously taken aback and surprisingly overwhelmed deep within me by what happened.”

Have you ever experienced an emotion like that?  I have.

Very briefly, let me tell you about one such experience.  When I was receiving instruction and training to fly hang gliders, I was scheduled to obtain my pilot’s license that Saturday afternoon—a venture I had always wanted to undertake.  It was my twenty-third flight, as memory serves me.

I had a perfect flight, gliding on the winds out of the west.  It was a lovely day for flying—until it wasn’t

Out of nowhere, a gust of wind, called a rotor, took the glider and, because of my inexperience, thrust me downward toward the earth.  In my panic, I was somehow able to regain control of the craft.  I flared my glider upward to slow my descent just above the ground and end my flight.

But something else unexpected happened.

Of all the places I could have chosen to land, it just so happened that when my feet touched the ground, my right foot landed in a ground squirrel hole and folded underneath me.  The pain that followed, with the glider on top of me, was excruciating.  It was the worst sprain you can imagine, and it laid me up for months.

I decided that day to give up flying.  I figured if I could get hurt that badly on a fairly good flight, what might happen on a really bad flight?

Would you call this venture tempting fate—being subject to whatever the wind decided to do?  I was at the mercy of the wind, for Pete’s sake!  No more for me!

Likewise, we can become vulnerable to certain winds of man-made doctrines, being tossed about like a glider—subject to the wind and caught in a rotor of untruths.

If a doctrine goes contrary to God’s Word, it is not something we should follow.  It doesn’t matter how much good is presented alongside it.  We need to recognize the deception and run from it before it lays us up spiritually in a state of anguish and pain.

We must be wise as serpents and harmless as doves when putting our lives on the line to follow doctrines of untruth rather than the inerrant Word of God.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:16: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

False doctrines and cults may seem worthy of our attention, appearing to be safe at first glance.  But remember, truth always has a counterfeit.  Certain truths may be presented, but then comes the rotor of untruth that can drive a person downward into pain and suffering.

We must be wise in this day of deception.  DO NOT take things at face value.

Seek good counsel, if in doubt, from a born-again believer who knows God’s Word, loves Him, and follows His statutes—not someone who goes off half-cocked on a tangent of misnomers and strange beliefs.

A misnomer is a name, label, or term that is inaccurate, inappropriate, or misleading for the thing it describes.  We should be careful of anything presented to us under a name or label that does not accurately represent the truth of God’s Word.

If it doesn’t line up with the full counsel of God’s Word, leave it alone.

You could end up with a visceral response of deep remorse at the end of your venture.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Quiet My Mind

When was the last time you turned off the radio, television, and iPhone?  Much like the body, I believe our minds need a rest—not just a night’s sleep, but an opportunity to unwind and simply rest from the challenges of life.

Internet surfing can be exhausting at times.  Yet we can become so caught up in its clutches that, before we know it, time has simply slipped away.  We may wonder why our eyes are tired, strained, and a bit out of focus as we think to ourselves, “Did that time really quiet my mind, or am I more tired than when I started?”

I’ve heard that even a twenty-minute nap can refresh the mind.  I’m not suggesting that we lay our heads on our desks at work and take a quick snooze—that would probably be unwise!  But taking a “me” timeout can be important for our mental and physical well-being.  Sometimes, we simply need to step away from the noise and give our minds permission to rest.

I know a lady who is a very good friend of my wife who journals every day.  For her, that timeout refreshes her psyche because it allows her to put down on paper some of the pressures and pressing issues of the week.  She can relax, rest her mind, and write.

Perhaps that is why writing down my thoughts to post on my blog gives me not only a feeling of purpose, but also a sense of well-being when I finish a piece.  I hope my words will strengthen and uplift those who read them.  After all, this is the beat and desire of my heart.

If my words can quiet the minds of those who read my thoughts, I feel blessed that I can play a small part in encouraging them to rest, face their challenges, and examine the inward condition of their souls.  Perhaps, in doing so, their eyes and minds will be drawn to the true Comforter—the Holy Spirit.

He has a way of leveling out the playing field of our busy minds.  When confusion or frustration begins to surface, He speaks peace into the places where our thoughts seem to be racing in every direction.

Jesus does this for me every day now that I walk with Him.  And perhaps that is what we all need from time to time—not more noise, more information, or more activity, but simply a quiet place where we can rest our minds and hear the gentle voice of God.

“Casting all your care upon Him; for He cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7

Written by,

Papa Boyd

 

The Boogeyman

The Boogeyman is a mythical creature typically used to frighten children into good behavior—a monster who supposedly punishes children.  These creatures come in different forms, and certainly, some of the things we imagined as children could be associated with the devil.

When I was a child, I was afraid to go into a dark room, leave the closet door open when I went to bed, or even hang my hand over the side of the bed for fear that the Boogeyman would grab it.  Believe it or not, at times, that old fear wants to raise its ugly head even as an adult.

If I were to allow that fear to consume my peace of mind, the tranquility of knowing that I am safe in the arms of God would be called into question—not because God has changed, but because of fears that became embedded during my formative years.

There is fear, and then there is fear.

The first kind of fear can be generated by falsehood—stories of goblin, ghosts, and the paranormal.  The second kind is more like respect for things that possess real power.  We respect electricity because of what it can do.  We respect Mother Nature and the power of tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and the like because we understand the destruction they can unleash upon humanity.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt famously stated, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”  But the Bible gives us something far greater to consider: “Perfect love casts out fear.”

1 John 4:18 tells us, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”  Experiencing and understanding God’s unconditional love can remove the terror of judgment and punishment.  When we truly understand how much God loves us, fear no longer has to control our lives.

The Bible also tells us that we are to fear God.  But fearing God does not mean living in paralyzing dread of Him.  It means having a deep, humbling awe and profound respect for His supreme power, holiness, and authority.

So, what about Satan?

Fear Satan?  Nah.

Don’t give him more attention or power in your mind than he deserves.  You have the Creator of the cosmos on your side.  The God who created everything is greater than anything that could ever come against you.

There is no reason for the child of God to live like a frightened child hiding from the Boogeyman.

We can walk through the darkness with confidence, knowing that we are never alone.  God is with us, and His perfect love is greater than our fears.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

I Am Blessed

I’m thankful that I live in a nation where I have the freedom to worship God and attend the church of my choosing.  Like most Americans, I have not experienced the depth of oppression that citizens in other countries are experiencing.  I know very little about the difficult living conditions suffered by thousands of people who have little hope of experiencing a better life than the one they are living.

Our nation has long embraced the words, “In God We Trust,” and faith in God has played an important part in the story of America.  Yet, it feels as though the tide is beginning to shift, and some of the beliefs and values that have shaped our nation are becoming increasingly challenged.  I believe this is a time when all Christians, young and old, need to earnestly seek God in prayer, asking Him to raise up a standard against the enemy that is trying to come in like a flood.

The Bible says, “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20).  Freedom is something we should never take for granted.  Rather than having an attitude of comme ci, comme ca (kawm-see, kawm-sah)—a French expression meaning “so-so” or “neither good nor bad”—we should recognize the blessings and liberties we enjoy and accept our responsibility to pray for God’s intervention and guidance.

We had better look at the blessings we have been given instead of taking a backseat concerning our responsibility to pray for change before we experience unnecessary and irreversible heartache.  Prayer is the key to heaven, and faith unlocks the door to worship God in spirit and in truth.

I believe every Christian should take it upon themselves to pray for God’s intervention.  Scripture gives us the answer in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 

Yes, I am blessed to have the privilege of coming before our Father in heaven and asking, in faith believing, that He will restore faith and heal our land.

I believe America can renew its commitment to servanthood, which is the condition or practice of being a servant—characterized by humble, unselfish, and active dedication to the needs of others—rather than servitude, which is the state of being under the control of another, living without freedom, or performing forced labor.

Yet, whatever the future may hold, we do not need to live in fear.  God reminds us in Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not: for I am with thee; be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

I am blessed because the Lord Jesus Christ resides within me.  And no matter what the future holds, Scripture tells us that He will never leave nor forsake His children.

This is the sure hope of all Christians.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Willie Nelly Syndrome

Double-mindedness is a person vacillating between stability and instability in their belief system.  The opposite of this thought is walking by faith, which enters into this struggle called life.

Taking a stand for something when others balk at the idea not only requires willpower to keep from being moved from a place of solidarity; it takes intestinal fortitude to stand for what is right—guts not to waver in one’s faith.

Faith is the “backbone” to believe in something so strongly that a person need not see the results first.  Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Peer pressure can be a menace to sound judgment.  It sometimes overrides practical thinking if we allow it to happen.  This is the Willie Nelly syndrome of unorganized behavior, waffling, and an undisciplined thought process.  In other words, being unstable in all areas of life.

I believe it is the lack of confidence a person allows to overshadow them.  In some cases, a person does not want to be ostracized by others.  This alone can produce instability in a person’s thinking, causing hesitation to take the proper approach that is needed, or finding themselves stepping back from actions that should be taken.

It is being afraid to make a decision for fear of losing friends, relationships, or popularity. Scripture speaks of this in James 1:8: “A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.”  I call it Willie Nelly thinking.

I know it is easier to talk about this subject—or write about it—than it is to actually be faced with choices and decide whether to react to the pressure or stand firm, afraid to act because a backbone has not yet been developed.

This is where the Holy Spirit becomes our strength, where we step out in faith to stand for what we believe rather than shrink back because of external pressures to compromise.

1 John 4:4 says, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”

A Willie Nelly syndrome is in the mind of those who depend upon themselves to stand against the wiles of the enemy, rather than standing in God’s strength and power to overcome fear and compromise.

The Lord is our strength and hope.  When the time comes to stand for what is right, we need not take a backseat to the howling winds of opposition.  We can stand firm—not because we are strong enough on our own, but because “He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

World of Whispers

My wife was recently fitted with a remarkable device that increased her hearing ability in her left ear.  The hearing aid is so tiny that it is virtually unnoticeable behind her ear, especially with her hair covering that area.  Before going this route, she often had to turn her head toward people when they were speaking.  Their voices sounded muffled—almost like whispers.  To have her hearing restored was like a miracle, she said.

As I’m writing these thoughts, I remember the subtle whispers of the world.  To hear what was being said, I had to turn my attention more toward where the whispers were coming from.  That action actually drew me closer, causing me to give heed rather than recognizing who was speaking.

Satan is not only subtle in his approach; he is deceptive and sneaky, like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.  He whispers to entice a person to turn toward him in order to hear better what is being said.  He intentionally wants us to turn our attention his way because he knows our human nature and our curiosity—like the curiosity of a cat.

I was of the mindset that everything bad would blare loudly, like the ear-piercing music of heavy-metal rock, and that I would be able to discern, at a glance—or by the level of decibels—whether I was recognizing good from evil.

Don’t be deceived.  Satanic sounds come in different forms, different venues, different sound waves, and different decibel levels.  The world whispers just as often, and perhaps more so, than the loud distractions that try to catch our attention.

We must learn the frequency of Almighty God through the Holy Spirit, and we most assuredly will as we walk in the Spirit and continue reading God’s Word.  Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27

Perhaps the greatest danger is not always the loud voice that demands our attention, but the quiet whisper that causes us to turn our ear in the wrong direction.  We must be careful about whose voice we are listening for—and whose voice we choose to follow.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

A Soul in Prison

I have never been incarcerated, but I have known people who have.  I can’t imagine what it must be like to wake up each morning with little hope of hugging—or even seeing—a loved one.  The same old routine every day; the same old faces; the same old cell bars; and the same old feelings of hopelessness are constant reminders of what put them there in the first place.

If only I hadn’t done it.  I’m forgotten in here.  This loneliness is unbearable.  I wish I could do it all over again.  Peace has forsaken me.  These statements are probably just a few examples of the thoughts that can run through a person’s mind during the weary days of incarceration.

Though I was fortunate not to end up in prison because of my rebellious spirit in the past, I do know what it was like to be imprisoned by sin before I met the Lord.

All of those thoughts about forfeited freedom were thoughts that haunted me night after night.  I would pillow my head, trying to turn off the anxiety, restlessness, regrets, and lack of peace that came from running from God.  Yet, try as I might, the next morning brought the same empty feeling—the same old things that had plagued me the day before. 

It seemed as though I was vacillating back and forth between good and evil thoughts.  The Holy Spirit was on the good side of life, trying to get my attention, while the devil was on the other side, tightening the chains of bondage a little tighter.

I was actually suffering in my spirit because sin had separated me from the only One who had the key to my imprisoned soul.

But God’s love was greater than the prison bars that were holding me captive.

As soon as I repented of my sins, the prison door flung wide open.  For the first time in years, I experienced true freedom as Jesus took me by the hand and led me out of the bondage that had held me fast.

I experienced peace because the Prince of Peace had set me free.

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” — John 8:36

We no longer have to suffer under the condemnation of our past wrongdoing.  When we come to Christ, our past does not have the final word.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 8:1

My soul was set free because of God’s amazing grace.

Written by,

Papa Boyd