Standing in Grace--Unmovable

What does the title “Standing in Grace—Unmovable” actually mean to you and me, especially in the day in which we are living?  Allow me to share some thoughts that have been coming to me.

We know what it means to stand for something so strongly that changing our viewpoint simply is not an option. I believe this is the kind of unmovable frame of mind I am talking about.  Perhaps you can remember a time when you were so adamant about something that nothing could change your mind.  No one could budge your thinking because you felt so strongly about what you believed.

I would say that a person with this kind of positive determination should not be taken lightly when they feel so intensely about something.  They are probably not a double-minded individual.  Scripture tells us that a double-minded person is unstable in all their ways.  This is not the case here.

Yet, saying that we should forego listening to godly counsel when life-altering decisions need to be made would not be wise.  There is safety in counsel as Scripture tells us in Proverbs 11:14: “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”

Seeking guidance is simply an expression of wisdom when confirmation may be needed.  It is not a sign of weakness.  There is nothing wrong with hearing another person’s viewpoint and perspective, as long as that person is a Spirit-filled, Spirit-led Christian who is walking with the Lord.  When this is the case, we can have confidence in their counsel.

I call this display of wisdom—standing up for what is right and having the courage to stand one’s ground—“having backbone.”

People can shrink in their own strength and allow their convictions to become altered when they are confronted by others with strong personalities who push their own agendas.  Who does this sound like?

Yes, you’re correct—Satan.

He is always trying to subdue our minds and send us off track.  But we have Scripture to encourage us in our faith: “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.”—1 John 4:4

As God’s children, we have been given the power to stand tall in our faith without fear.  We have Jesus making intercession for us as we walk in God’s statutes.  Our made-up minds to serve Him should go without saying as we stand in His strength—unmovable in His grace.

The Holy Spirit prompts us and helps us know right from wrong.  There should be no question about that.  As Christians, we have the authority and the ability, through Christ, needed to refuse to compromise our faith or our beliefs because of some kind of drummed-up scare tactic or intimidation from our adversary, the devil.

He is a fallen foe who has only his roar to try to frighten us or persuade us to change our minds concerning the things of God.  But we are God’s children!

“Get thee behind me, Satan!”

That is the command we need to speak when the enemy attempts to intimidate, deceive, or move us away from what we know to be true.  The Holy Spirit does the rest because of whose we are in Christ Jesus.

Scripture gives us boldness in James 4:7: “Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

When we submit ourselves to God and resist the enemy, we can stand firm.  We do not have to be shaken by fear, intimidation, strong personalities, or the pressures of the world.

We can stand.  We can remain steadfast.  We can refuse to compromise.  And we can be unmovable—not because of our own strength, but because we are standing in the grace of God.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Not My Way to Go

I will begin these thoughts with the word “But.”  It is such a small word, yet sometimes it carries the greatest truth. 

But God knows which way is best for our spiritual growth.

“Come on,” you may be thinking.  “There’s got to be more to this thought.”  Yes, there is.

We cannot see around the corner of life, but God can.  He sees all, He knows all, and He desires good things for His children.  We must believe this.  It is absolutely true!

God desires an abundant life for us, despite what the devil tries to feed us.  God’s omnipotent power gives Him all authority and the ability to know what is best for us.  Yes, there are times when He says, “No.”  No to the direction we want to take.  No to the road we think will bring us happiness.  No to the plans we have carefully made.

And sometimes, His “no” is the very thing that protects us.

He redirects us for our betterment—not only for our spiritual growth and protection, but also for our physical well-being and mental clarity.  What does that mean, exactly?

It means that we are finite.  We are limited in our ability to know what is best for our own lives, our welfare, and our prosperity.  God, however, is infinite and omniscient.  He sees what we cannot see.  He knows what lies around the corner—what may be waiting to deceive, discourage, or devour us.

We must trust God with our coming and going because He knows best.  It really is as simple as that.  And as we trust Him, we walk in victory.

Peace becomes our companion as we travel His way, because Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  When we insist on going our own way, we are often moving in our own strength, like a lone wolf.

But wait. Didn't Jesus say, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”?  Yes, He did.  Then why do we sometimes feel so alone?

Perhaps it is because we have persisted in going our own way, refusing to heed the gentle leading of the Holy Spirit when He whispers, “Go this way.”

We learn through our mistakes.  And God is patient.  God is loving.  God is God.  He knows the way that leads to the best outcome, the right resolution, and the purpose He has prepared for us.

We may feel dissatisfied—even completely disappointed—when God says, “No.”  We may not understand why He has closed a door or changed the direction we thought our lives should take.  But He is our Heavenly Father, and we can trust Him with our lives.

Why?

Because through past experiences and prior encounters with the spirit of darkness, we have learned that God truly cares about what happens to us.  He cares when we struggle because we insisted on going our own way.  He cares enough to gently bring us back when we wander.

Remember the story Jesus told about the shepherd who had one sheep wander away from the ninety-nine?  The shepherd went looking.  He searched until he found the one who was lost.  And when he found it, he lovingly picked it up and carried it home.

You’ve heard of “Footprints in the Sand.”  Perhaps those footprints are not ours at all.  Perhaps they are Jesus’ prints.

When we are too weary to walk, He carries us close to His heart.  When we have wandered too far, He comes looking for us.  When we have lost our way, He does not abandon us.  He brings us home.

We are the sheep of His pasture.

And sometimes, the way we wanted to go is not the way He intends for us to go.  But God knows best.

So, when He says, “No,” let us learn to trust Him.  When He says, “Wait,” let us learn to be patient.  When He says, “Go this way,” let us follow.  Because the road He chooses for us may not always be the road we would have chosen for ourselves—but it is the road where He walks beside us.

And if Jesus is with us, we are never truly alone.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Poetry in Motion

What came to your mind when you read the title Poetry in Motion?

Was it the image of a beautiful ballerina gracefully moving across a stage?  Maybe it was watching a child take those precious first steps, or hearing their first words spoken.  Perhaps you thought of the overwhelming tenderness you felt the first time you held a newborn baby in your arms.

When I penned the title Poetry in Motion, my thoughts went somewhere much deeper.  I thought about my own born-again experience—the moment my life was forever changed and I was set free to worship God in spirit and in truth.

For me, it was poetry in motion when the Holy Spirit—eternal, holy, and perfect in every way—came to dwell within this vessel, mortal and imperfect in every way.

How can I adequately describe what it felt like to know that God had chosen to make His dwelling place within me?  I cannot fully explain it.  I can only testify to what I experienced.

I took my first steps as a babe in Christ when His nature began to become my nature.  Something inside me had changed.  The person I had been was no longer the person I wanted to remain.  The desires of my heart began to shift as I surrendered myself to Him.

It was the miraculous transformation that began the moment I repented of my sins and God forgave me.  In that moment, I experienced a mercy I could never have earned and a love I could never have deserved.  Nothing compares to the beauty of becoming a child of the Most High God.

When the blood of Jesus broke me free from Satan’s clutches and the chains that had bound me, I ran into the welcoming arms of Jesus.  I wanted nothing more than to rest in the loving embrace of my Savior—to bask in the warmth of His presence and know that I was finally free.

Free.  That word means something different to me now.

I know what it is to be bound, and I know what it is to be released.  I know what it feels like to carry the weight of sin, and I know what it feels like to lay that burden at the feet of Jesus.  I know what it is to wander, and I know the joy of finally finding my way home.

That breakaway was, indeed, poetry in motion.

And it was made possible because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He willingly went to the cross—not only for my sins, but for your sins and the sins of all humanity.  He gave His life so that we could have life.  He endured the cross so that we could experience freedom.  He rose again so that our story would not have to end in bondage, brokenness, or despair.

(John 3:16-17), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (vs 17) “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”

When I think about the title Poetry in Motion, I think about redemption.

I think about what happens when a soul finally chooses to go God’s way.  I think about the person who has been wounded, weary, lost, and broken by sin and discovers that there is still hope.  I think about the miraculous new birth that brings healing to a sin-sick existence—spiritually, physically, and mentally.

I think about myself.  I think about the man I was and the man God is continually transforming me to become.

The journey has not meant that I became perfect.  I am still mortal.  I am still imperfect.  I still stumble.  But I am no longer walking alone, and I am no longer who I once was.

His grace keeps drawing me forward.  His love keeps calling me closer.  His Spirit keeps moving within me.  And with every step I take toward Him, I am reminded of where He brought me from.

So when a soul chooses to go God’s way, that move is more than a decision.  It is surrender.  It is transformation.  It is freedom.  It is redemption.

And that, my friend, is truly—Poetry in Motion.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

We Are the Love of His Heart

With all of the unrest and hatred that is filling the world, it is becoming more and more difficult to recognize—or even find—a smile on someone’s face.  There is so much hurt and worry surrounding the unknown factors that tomorrow may bring that it can be difficult for people to live in peace today because of that uncertainty.

Scripture tells us that in the last days, “the love of many shall wax cold.”  I see it happening everywhere I go.

Yet, in the midst of all the turmoil around us, I am profoundly grateful for the knowledge that those of us who are born again are the love of God’s heart.  I am in awe that the God of all creation loves me so dearly.  I would like to think that I am the apple of His eye.

I remember the awesome experience I had the day God forgave my sins.  In that moment, I experienced His love in a way I had never known before.  There was no feeling like it.  His love permeated every corner of my heart, and I literally sensed an overwhelming joy flood my soul.

To this day, I still say the words, “You and me, right, Lord?”

And it seems I always hear Him say, “That’s right, son.  It’s you and Me.”

Are you looking for love in a world that offers very little to satisfy that deep longing within your heart?

God’s love is all we need to fill the emptiness within us.  His love is simply there for the asking.  Jesus said in Matthew 11:28: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Needing love?  Jesus is the answer.

His love is coupled with hope—and amazing hope that tomorrow can be an even brighter day than today.  Every day is a good day, a glorious day, when we walk hand in hand with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Yes, trials will come our way.  There will be moments of sorrow, disappointment, and loneliness.  There may even be times when friends and family members leave us to weep alone.  But His love sustains us through it all.

The Bible tells us that the Lord wipes away our tears and sticks closer than a brother.  He will never leave our side.  We can lean on Him in every situation and every season of life.

His love is eternal.  It never fades, never fails, and never ends.

When God speaks to our hearts through the love He has for us, stress and doubt begin to subside.  We can rest in the assurance that we are not forgotten, abandoned, or alone.

We are the love of His heart.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Element of Surprise

There are amazing times when surprises come our way that rock our world in the best possible way.  Then there are the unwanted surprises—the ones we could do without.  Personally, I dislike anything that brings discomfort, worry, or stressful moments of any kind.

When the unexpected happens, I immediately begin evaluating the situation.  Subconsciously, I start visualizing how things might have been done differently to prevent the bad surprise from happening in the first place—or what could be done to guard against it happening again.  Just after an unexpected event occurs, as it does with many of us, I can be knocked back on my heels until I fully grasp what is happening.

That is when I call out to God for strength, an attitude check, and the grace to subdue the anger that wants to take over my personality.  Sometimes that takes a little while.  I am thankful that, through the years, God has shown me that His grace truly is sufficient in all things.

No one likes bad news or unwanted surprises.  But such is life.  The unexpected will come, and I believe it is how we respond to those surprises that can either strengthen or weaken our relationship with God.

Casting blame does nothing to improve our situation or our attitude.  In fact, when we point our finger toward God and cry out, “Why did You let this happen?” we can unknowingly take a step backward from the very One who is greater than the problem itself.

Yet the Lord remains near, even in spite of ourselves.  He will never leave us.

God knows us, and He knows exactly how to handle every situation.  He can bring good out of what appears to be bad.  We simply cannot see the whole picture.  God can.  He has everything under control, and He will not forsake us.

This is where faith and trust go hand in hand.  We must believe that God will rise to the surface of every situation, just as cream rises to the top of fresh cow’s milk.  What may look like chaos to us is never chaos to God.

In the title, The Element of Surprise, the word “element” refers to a single action or occurrence—something that suddenly enters a situation and catches us off guard.

We know that good comes from God, while evil comes from our adversary, the devil.  But we must always remember that God is greater than the devil.  All power rests in the Creator of all things.  He is above everything He has created.

It was no surprise to God when Lucifer, the most beautiful of the angels He created, attempted to usurp His authority.  God is all-knowing.  Nothing catches Him off guard.

That means nothing that comes our way slips beneath His radar, so to speak.  No attack, temptation, deception, trial, or unwanted surprise can come against us without God knowing about it.

What we do with those things is what truly matters.

As Christians, we stand upon the power of Almighty God.  We are more than conquerors through the Holy Spirit who strengthens us.  The enemy may use the element of surprise, but surprise does not equal victory.

We have been given the whole armor of God to help us stand firm—to protect our minds, our bodies, and our spirits so that we are not defeated by whatever unexpected circumstance comes our way.

The element of surprise may catch us off guard, but it never catches God off guard.  And that makes all the difference.

When the unexpected comes, we may stumble.  We may become frightened, angry, confused, or overwhelmed.  We may need a moment—or several moments—to regain our footing.  But we do not have to face the surprise alone.  God is always there.

He was there before the surprise happened.  He is there while we are walking through it.  And He will still be there when we reach the other side.

Our responsibility is not to understand every surprise that comes our way.  Our responsibility is to trust the One who already knows the outcome.

The enemy may have the element of surprise.  But God has the victory.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Plain and Simple

I’m not stepping behind a pulpit or climbing atop some kind of soapbox to preach a sermon.  I’m simply sharing a few thoughts for today—thoughts that I hope, in some small way, will help someone facing hardship to find the courage and perseverance to keep going.

That is the heart of what I’m trying to say.

As children of God, we are blessed beyond measure with a very special Comforter and confidant—the Holy Spirit.  He was sent to draw us to Christ, encourage our hearts when we are struggling, strengthen us when we feel weak, and gently smooth out the rough edges that life so often leaves behind.

Sometimes life hurts.  Sometimes the road ahead looks uncertain, and the burdens we carry seem far too heavy for us to bear.  In those moments, it may be easy to wonder where God is or whether He truly understands what we are going through.

At this point, you may even be thinking, “This sounds too plain and simple to help me with the situation I’m facing.”

Perhaps that is exactly why I’m writing these thoughts.

“But how can I experience this Comforter?” you may be asking yourself.

I can only tell you what I have experienced personally and what countless born-again Christians have experienced after coming out of darkness and into the marvelous light of Jesus’ love.

The plain and simple truth is that God made it easy to come to Him—not hard at all.

He is not far away.  He is not hiding from us.  He is ever-present, ready to hear the sincere prayer of a repentant heart.  When we come to Him honestly and ask Him to forgive our sins, He forgives.

What an amazing thought—that the Creator of all things is willing to hear us when we call upon Him.

Scripture tells us that God’s plan of salvation is so plain and simple that even “the wayfaring man, though fools, shall not err therein.”

Yet the enemy would have us believe something entirely different.  The devil would have us believe that we are too unworthy for God’s grace, too sinful for His forgiveness, or somehow beyond the reach of His love.

The truth is, none of us is worthy on our own.  But that is where Jesus changes everything.

Through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for our sins, God made a way for us to be reconciled to Him.  Jesus willingly gave His life, died on the cross, and then, in a miraculous demonstration of God’s power, rose from the dead.

That is the Gospel.  That is grace.  And that is hope.

Were it not for Jesus, the outcome of our existence would be no different from those who reject His sacrifice and His amazing love.  But because of Jesus, our story does not have to end with this life.

The plain and simple bottom line is this: through the new birth, we have the promise that one day we will see Him face to face—the majestic Creator of all things.

Think about that for a moment.

The One who created the heavens and the earth, the One who knows every sorrow, every fear, every tear, and every burden we carry, has made a way for us to spend eternity with Him.

Because of Jesus, we have the hope of heaven.  We will spend eternity with Him rather than facing eternal separation from God and His goodness—a place where there is no ending, no second chance, and no escape.

So when life becomes difficult, when the road seems too long, and when you wonder whether you have the strength to take another step, remember this: You are not alone.  The Comforter is near.  God is listening.  Jesus has already made the way.

Sometimes the greatest truths really are the plainest and simplest.  And today, that truth is enough for me.  I thank God for Jesus.

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Come Walk With Me

In past writings, I have used the expression “crossroads” to describe the experience I had when I made the decision to follow Jesus Christ.  I have said that I was standing at a crossroads, but the more I reflect on that life-changing moment, the more I realize that it was not so much a crossroads as it was a fork in the road—a place where I encountered the Lord and had to choose which path I would take.

This morning, at 1:30 A.M., I was awakened from a deep sleep.  My mind immediately became flooded with memories of that all-important night—the night when God forgave my sins and I became a born-again Christian.

With my eyes closed, I could see it clearly in my mind’s eye: a fork in the road.

At the entrance to each road stood a sign.

The road on the left was wide and inviting, but its sign was anything but welcoming.  It was made from a rough-hewn slab of wood, scorched and discolored as though it had been exposed to the intense heat of a raging fire.  The lettering was difficult to make out, but I could see what it said:

ROAD TO DESTRUCTION.

The road on the right was straight and narrow.  Its sign was entirely different.  It appeared to be a tablet of stone, clear and unblemished, with words etched into it as though by the very finger of God:

ROAD TO ETERNAL LIFE.

As I lay there, captivated by what my mind’s eye was showing me, I noticed someone standing just beyond the sign on the narrow road.  He was waving His hands above His head, trying desperately to get my attention.

The closer I looked, the more clearly I could see the jagged scars in His hands.

He was quietly calling to me, but the noise and calamity coming from the road on the left seemed determined to drown out His voice.  There was confusion, corruption, and every kind of worldly distraction competing for my attention.

Then, in the background, I heard something else—a growl, a roar, like that of a lion moving back and forth, searching for unsuspecting prey.

I could almost hear the words of Scripture: “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

It seemed as though that roaring lion was mocking the One who stood on the narrow road, calling me to follow Him.

Yet, despite all the noise, despite the confusion and worldly corruption that sought to keep me from hearing His voice, I could still make out what He was saying:

“Come walk with Me.”

In that moment, I realized the significance of the decision before me.  I was about to make a choice what would affect not only the rest of my life, but where I would spend eternity.

This vision of the fork in the road brought to mind the words of Scripture found in Galatians 6:7-8:

“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.”

I had a choice to make.  Life or death.  The narrow road or the wide road.  One path led toward destruction.  The other led toward eternal life.

I am eternally grateful that I chose the road on the right.  For that is the road where Jesus walks with me—not only at the fork in the road, but every day of my journey.

And now, with each step, He leads me farther from the world and closer to home.  Home to heaven.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

White Swans

I haven’t seen too many swans in my lifetime, but I’ve watched videos now and then that made me smile as I appreciated their majestic beauty.  Even now, I visualize them as God’s beautiful ballerinas, gliding across picture-perfect ponds like miniature angels moving peacefully with seemingly minimal effort.  What wonderful creations of God!

I became aware of the noticeable change that takes place as swans grow from gray, fluffy newborns—called cygnets—into beautiful adult swans.  Like their parents, they eventually become the beauty of waterways in nature while growing stronger and learning the art of survival in a prey-versus-predator environment.  From birth, they follow closely behind their father and mother, doing their very best to emulate them in every way.

A cygnet does not wake up one morning and suddenly become a swan.  The transformation takes place gradually as it grows, matures, and becomes what God created it to be.  What a beautiful picture of new birth, living life, growing stronger, and surviving enemy attacks.  It reminds me of God’s transforming power of grace and forgiveness.

The Holy Spirit transforms babes in Christ into beautiful creations.  We are born again by His grace, but then we spend our lives growing, learning, following, and becoming more like our Heavenly Father.  The change may not happen all at once, but as we surrender ourselves to Him, He patiently works within us, transforming what was once stained by sin into something beautiful for His glory.

People may not always see the transformation taking place within us, but they can see the evidence of it.  What was once gray and stained by sin can become renewed and washed clean—white as snow through the grace and forgiveness of God.

Christians follow their Father in every way they can and do their best to become more like Him.  Like a young cygnet staying close to its parents while learning how to live, we must stay close to our Heavenly Father.  The Holy Spirit leads, comforts, corrects, and teaches us how to withstand temptation while learning to recognize the deceptions of our enemy and how to live in victory.

Like baby swans, believers learn how to survive spiritually in the environment around us through the love, guidance, and direction of God the Father.  We grow healthy and strong—physically, mentally, and spiritually—as children of the Most High Creator.

We may not always recognize the transformation taking place within us, but God does.  He sees the finished creation while He is still working on us.  He knows what we will become even while we are still growing, learning, and being transformed by His grace.

One day, the gray, fluffy cygnet becomes the beautiful white swan gliding peacefully across the water.  In much the same way, God takes lives stained by sin and, through His grace, transforms them into something beautiful.  We follow our Father, learn from Him, grow stronger through His Spirit, and become more like Him.

We walk in His beauty.

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Asleep at the Switch...

It’s most important that we don’t fail to keep our ends tucked in when it comes to our relationship with Jesus.  When we guard against shirking our responsibility as Christians to keep in step with the Holy spirit as He leads us into all truth, we can walk in victory each and every day.

Staying submerged in His love is a sure way of remaining in His grace.  There is nothing worse for our spiritual awareness than to doze off at the wheel of responsibility or go to sleep at the switch of godly outreach.  There are souls all around us who are searching, hurting, and longing for the very grace we have received. 

A willingness to remain cognizant of those needing God’s grace goes hand in hand with the following Scripture in Romans 12:1: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

I believe that when we take up our cross and follow the Lord, there are always opportunities to share the good news that Jesus Christ loves us dearly and is willing to carry our burdens when we cast our cares upon Him.  Sometimes those opportunities may seem small—a conversation, a kind word, a listening ear, or simply letting someone know that Jesus cares.  Yet God can use the smallest opening to make an eternal difference.

I believe Christians will not grow weary in well-doing when we keep our eyes upon God and allow His compassion and love to radiate and flow through us.  When His love is flowing through us, we don’t have to force anything; we simply become willing vessels through which His grace can reach someone who desperately needs it.

“Alertness” becomes our middle name as we stay busy doing the work of the Lord.  He never has to be concerned about our lack of faithfulness, our falling asleep at the switch, or our dozing off at the wheel as long as we, like the song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus; look full ln His wonderful face.”

Oh, what a privilege it is to remain awake, watchful, and ready when the Lord places someone in our path!  Remaining alert and sensitive to His leading allows those lost souls we encounter to find their way to the cross and become children of the most loving God.

May we never be found asleep at the switch when there is kingdom work to be done.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Strip me...

You might be thinking, “Wait a minute!  I think you’re getting a little off track and carried away with the title, aren’t you?”

You may even be asking yourself, “What is the title saying, exactly?”

I know it sounds a little off-color and out of left field compared to most of my other writings, but stay with me.  Although you may be interpreting the title as heading into some unsavory territory, please rest your mind.  All is well.  I’m not talking about a strip search, stripping down, or anything of that sort.  I’m not even referring to stripping off old paint down to bare metal in order to repaint a car.

I’m talking about the day when God stripped me of the old nature I was walking in and blessed me with a fresh, new coat of Holy Ghost primer and paint, while clothing me in a garment of praise.

God stripped my soul of the sin and degradation that were keeping me enslaved—bound to the enemy of my soul.  The Lord set me free to worship Him in spirit and in truth.

I suppose I could have used a title like “Cleanse Me,” but I wanted to catch your attention with the title I chose.

Cleansing—or stripping, in this context—is referring to the amazing gift that God, the Creator, gave to lost and dying people who needed a Savior: you, me, and all of humanity.

How many of us would give our only child to be tortured, beaten beyond recognition, and nailed to a cross in place of sinners who hated us?

But this is exactly what God did for us because He loved us as we were—sinners without any hope whatsoever of making heaven our home.

Jesus cleansed me from all sin when He stripped away the old habits, the old nature, and the old person I had become, replacing them with newness of life after I bowed my knees before Him in prayer and asked Him to forgive me of my sins.

He stripped me clean—fresh as the driven snow.

The following statement is more than a metaphor.  When Scripture says that we are cleansed from sin by the shedding of blood, this is true because God says it is true.  No one can be saved without the shedding of blood—the blood of the Lamb.

Jesus, and Jesus alone, bought our freedom when He died for our sins.  And because He was resurrected from the dead, we have the hope that we, too, will be resurrected should we go the way of the grave.  We will meet the Lord in the sky when He returns for His bride—all born-again believers.

This will happen because He stripped us of all unrighteousness when He saved our souls from corruption.  He cleansed us when He shed His blood on the Cross of Calvary.

So, yes—“Strip Me.”

Strip away everything that keeps me bound.  Strip away the old nature, the old habits, the sin, and everything that separates me from You.

Then clothe me in Your righteousness, fill me with Your Spirit, and give me that garment of praise.

Because when Jesus saves us, He doesn’t simply cover up the old life.  He makes us new.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Restored by the Master Restorer

I know people who are car collectors and enjoy tinkering with vintage automobiles, restoring them to their original factory specifications. The paint jobs on some of these “beauties” are outstanding—painted with love and painstaking attention to detail.  Those who care deeply about their hobbies take their time with their projects.  They don’t rush the process of restoration.

That dedication and long-suffering are a picture of our Heavenly Father.  He is dedicated to making us “new” and conforming us to the image of His dear Son, Jesus Christ.  He doesn’t rush the process.  He knows that with patience and perseverance, the finished work will eventually reveal itself.

The rusty bucket of bolts, the dented panels, the faded paint, and the tarnished chrome can all be refined in the hands of the Master Restorer.  Eventually, people begin to notice the changes.  They see something beautiful emerging from what once appeared to be a hopeless wreck, and they may begin to desire the same restoration for their own broken lives.

God brings people into our renewed lives who are also in need of restoration.

He restores us to His intended purpose—to reflect His image, which was marred by the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.  Sin corrupts and ages us in many ways.  It leaves dings in our character, creates fading and sin-baked exterior finishes, and wears out our tires as we travel over the potholes of sin on the wide road that leads to destruction.

But God offers us a complete makeover.  The old, decrepit wreck can become a new creation when we place our broken and battered souls into the hands of the Master Restorer.

God makes all the difference when we trust Him with the restoration process.  He patiently works out the dents, repairs the damage, and fills our blemished places with the healing balm of His grace and mercy.

We can shine like new after being renewed through the transformation of the new birth.

Jesus provided this promise when He died on the cross for our redemption.  Because of His sacrifice, we don’t have to remain the wreckage that sin has made us.

Thanks be to God that He doesn’t throw us onto the heap of incorrigible wrecks and says, “There’s no hope for this one.”

I was that wreck.

I was a broken-down life headed for the garbage heap of discarded and forgotten things. But God saw something worth restoring.  He rescued me from the garbage can of broken pieces and I found myself in the hands of the Master Restorer.

And He is still restoring me.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

I've Got It

The “it” in the title could represent many things.  I am not talking about the Holy Spirit, because He is not an “it.”  Rather, I am talking about the power He represents and makes available to every man, woman, boy, and girl who says “yes” to Jesus and becomes a Christian.

When we surrender our lives to the Lord, we walk in that power.

After Jesus was miraculously resurrected from the dead following His crucifixion, He ascended into heaven.  But before He left, He promised to send another Comforter—the Holy Spirit.  He would empower believers with power from on high to be His witnesses and to do mighty works in Jesus’ name.

If Christians would stop for just a moment and allow that truth to resonate within them, we would move through life differently.

Think about what happens at the new birth.  Our sins are forgiven, and we become sons and daughters of Almighty God.  Through Christ, we have direct access to the Father.  The veil has been torn, and we can boldly enter His presence because of who we are in Christ.  Jesus made this possible.

We do not have to compromise our faith.  We do not have to hang our heads in defeat.  We do not have to live defeated lives.

And we certainly can resist the powers of darkness because, as Scripture says, “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”

We can shout, “I’ve got it!” in the face of trouble.

We can stand against the enemy.  We can pray for the sick and believe God for healing.  We can resist the lies of darkness and stand tall, holding our heads high when confusion knocks at our door.

“We’ got it!”

We have the power of the Holy Spirit.  Our omnipotent Father has provided His children with everything we need to stand firm when Satan whispers, “That power was only for Christians in biblical times.”

Remember who is speaking.  Satan is a liar and the father of lies.

We are God’s children.  What, then, can ultimately stand against us when God is for us?  When Christians truly believe that God is all-powerful and that He will never leave us nor forsake us, we begin to walk in victory.

Born-again believers need not be afraid to step out in faith and trust God to move mountains of despair, mountains of depression, mountains of sickness, and mountains of doubt.  Jesus told us that faith can move mountains—and we can pray and believe in His mighty name.

Peter and John were flesh and blood, just like you and me.  Yet they were well acquainted with the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within them.

At the Gate called Beautiful, Peter encountered a man who had been lame from birth and who was begging for alms.  Peter looked directly at him and said: “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

And a miracle happened.

The same Holy Spirit who empowered the apostles in those days is the same Holy Spirit who dwells within every child of God today.

I believe what Jesus told His disciples before His crucifixion applies to all believers:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.”— John 16:33

Trials and tribulations will come our way.  Jesus never promised us a life without trouble.  But He did promise us His presence, His peace, and the victory He has already won.

So when trouble comes, when doubt whispers, when fear knocks, and when the enemy tells us that we are powerless, we must remember who lives within us.

We belong to God.  We have the Holy Spirit.  We have access to the Father through Jesus Christ.  We have the authority to stand in faith.  We have the promise of God’s presence.

So, when the storms of life come, we don’t have to shrink back in defeat.  We can stand tall and declare: “I’ve got it!”

There’s something about the power of the Holy Spirit.  I can’t fully explain it.  But I’ve got it.

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Please, I Want More...

My wife makes some of the best spaghetti in town.  There is always room for more—it’s just that good.  Pasta made with love satisfies my hunger so completely that I usually skip dessert when she serves me a second helping.

Some people want a little more money.  Others want more recognition at work.  When there are those who desire more fame and fortune in Hollywood.  As for me, I want more of Jesus.

I want to walk as He walked, hearing the voice of God speaking gently to my heart.  There is a chorus our church once loved to sing, “More of You.”  The words express a longing that reaches far beyond the temporary things of this world: “More of You; more of You.  I’ve had it all, but what I need is more of You.  Of things I’ve had my fill, but yet I hunger still.  Empty and bare; Lord, hear my prayer, for more of You.”

When we compare the Lord to the riches of this world, positions of authority or the luxurious lifestyles of those who live in penthouses atop towering skyscrapers, none of these things—with all their glitter and fanfare—can provide lasting joy or true satisfaction like Jesus does for those who desire more of Him.

Scripture expresses this thought well in Mark 8:36: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

That verse certainly gives a person pause, doesn’t it?

This life is temporary.  Nothing in this world lasts forever—not like eternity.  The things we have accumulated will one day be left behind when we die.  We cannot hook a U-Haul trailer to our soul and take our possessions into the afterlife.

As we came into this world, so shall we leave it.  What, then, should be our greatest priority?

We should focus on living a Christian life and laying up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.  Jesus reminds us of this in Matthes 6:19-21:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

The question, then, is not simply, How much more can I have?  Perhaps the better question is, How much more of Jesus do I want?

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Rounding Third and Heading Home

 

It’s exciting to sit in a stadium and cheer for your favorite baseball team.  It’s even more special when one of your players connects with a fastball and sends it out of the ballpark.  I can picture it now: the player rounding third base as his teammates wait at home plate, smiling, jumping up and down, and celebrating with joyful hugs when he finally touches home.

I imagine heaven having a similar kind of celebration when a born-again believer finishes the race and heads home after faithfully serving the greatest Coach of all—the One with nail-scarred hands.

All of heaven rejoices when one of God’s faithful players crosses home plate after a successful season of serving Jesus here on earth.  I can picture loved ones who have gone before, eagerly waiting to embrace them and welcome them home with words of praise and adoration.  Together, they enter the City of Everlasting Life— “the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10)—walking the streets of pure gold.

The celebration that follows must surpass anything we have ever experienced here on earth.  Even winning the pennant after a victorious season filled with ups and downs, hard knocks, disappointments, and frustrations cannot compare with the joy of finally arriving home.

In the end, it pays to choose the right team—the team of God Almighty.  His team doesn’t always have an easy season, but the final outcome is already decided.

Victory is assured.

So keep running the bases.  Keep your eyes on the Coach.  Keep serving Jesus faithfully.

One day, you’ll round third, head for home, and hear the greatest welcome of all: “Well done.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

On Wings as Eagles

The bald eagle is recognized as a national symbol—the majestic icon of America.  I believe eagles are among the most recognizable and beautiful birds in flight.  They soar effortlessly upon warm columns of rising air called thermals, gaining a vantage point from which they can survey the ground below and spot prey, or observe fish near the surface of a body of water.

One of the things I found most fascinating about eagles is their extraordinary eyesight.  Eagles have remarkably sharp vision, allowing them to detect prey from great distances.  Their eyes contain a high density of light-sensitive cone cells, giving them exceptional ability to see both detail and movement.  What an amazing creature God has made!

Eagles are also strong, resilient, and resourceful birds.  It is no wonder that the prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, used the eagle as a picture of spiritual strength and endurance:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” –- Isaiah 40:31

No doubt Isaiah understood the frailty of the human body and how easily we can become weary.  But weariness is not limited to the physical body.  Mental and spiritual strain can be just as exhausting, and sometimes even more so.  Doing a work for God can require tremendous energy, perseverance, and stamina as we seek to accomplish the task He has placed before us.

This Scripture reminds us of the importance of waiting upon the Lord.  There are times when we need to step away from the demands around us, enter our “closet” of prayer, and remain there until we are renewed and strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are not to neglect the health and needs of our physical bodies, but neither are we to neglect the spiritual person within us.  When we spend time in the presence of God, He refreshes us so that we can once again walk and run the race He has set before us.

To “mount up with wings as eagles” speaks to me of rising above the circumstances that can weigh us down and gaining a higher perspective through faith.  It is part of what enables us to remain strong as we pursue God’s directive to go into all the world and share Christ—with the nations, with our communities, in our neighborhoods, or simply with the person next door.

Jesus called us to be “fishers of men.”  But before we can effectively reach others, we must continually return to the One who gives us strength.

When we wait upon the Lord and listen for the Holy Spirit, our spiritual vision becomes clearer.  Like the eagle surveying the landscape from above, we can begin to see beyond what is immediately in front of us and gain a clearer understanding of the path God has for our lives.

So, when you are weary, take time to wait upon the Lord. Rest in His presence.  Pray.  Listen.  Allow Him to renew your strength.

Then rise.  Mount up on wings as eagles.  And continue the journey with Him.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Sin Batters His Heart

Who does the word “His” in the title refer to?  The person is none other than Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.  He takes away the sins of the world.

It is the Lord who grieves deeply in His heart when people show contempt for Him and willingly return to sin without considering that their actions dishonor and grieve the One who died for their sins.  Hebrews 6:6 contains a sobering phrase: “crucify Him afresh,” or “crucifying the Son of God afresh.”  The verse states:

“If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.”

In essence, this is how I understand the seriousness of this warning: it is as though, through deliberate and willful sin, we treat Christ’s sacrifice with disdain—as if we were placing Him on the cross again and exposing Him to shame.

This is not to suggest that Jesus is literally being crucified again each time we sin.  Rather, it is a picture of how seriously God views deliberate and willful rebellion after we have received His grace.  It reminds us that sin is not merely breaking a rule; it is turning away from the One who loved us enough to give His life for us.

Imagine the scene at Calvary.  Jesus was beaten mercilessly, mocked, wounded, and nailed to a cross.  He endured excruciating suffering and willingly gave His life because of His great love for humanity.  When we deliberately return to the very sins from which He came to set us free, we should stop and consider what our actions say about the sacrifice He made for us.

Sin batters His heart because He gave you, me, and all of humanity something wonderful in exchange for our sins—Himself.

What an extraordinary gift!

This gift is freely available to anyone who desires freedom from the bondage of sin—a renewed life and a changed attitude because of the blood Jesus shed for our sins.  This is the born-again experience made possible through His death, burial, and miraculous resurrection.

Personally, when I read about His crucifixion in the Bible and imagine the horror He endured that day, I think twice before doing something that would grieve the Spirit.  I remind myself that He took upon Himself the full debt of my sin and suffered unbearable pain because He loved me dearly.

How can I knowingly return to the very things that caused such suffering for the One who loved me enough to die in my place?

Jesus desires to spend eternity with God’s children—with those who have asked God to forgive their sins and have experienced the new birth through faith in Him.  His desire is not to condemn us but to save us, transform us, and bring us into a relationship with Him.

That is why we must take sin seriously.

We should never become comfortable with what nailed our Savior to the cross.  When we recognize sin in our lives, we should not hide from God or run from Him in shame.  Instead, we should turn toward Him in repentance, remembering that the same Jesus who died for our sins is the One who offers forgiveness, restoration, and new life.

So, before we deliberately choose something contrary to God’s Word, may we pause and consider the price Jesus paid for us.  May we remember His suffering.  May we remember His love.  And may we ask ourselves: Is this choice worth grieving the heart of the One who gave everything for me?

Sin may promise temporary pleasure, satisfaction, or freedom, but Christ offers something infinitely greater—true freedom from sin and the hope of eternal life.

May we never treat His sacrifice lightly.  May His love compel us to turn away from sin, pursue holiness, and live in a way that honors the One who gave Himself for us.

Sin batters His heart—but His grace calls us home.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Ripple of Our Attitude

When we try to separate ourselves from society or from our loved ones because we are having a bad day and don’t want to talk to anyone, our childlike behavior can still affect others.  I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “No man is an island.”  These words were written by the English writer John Donne in 1624 and have echoed through the ages.  The phrase means we are all connected and need one another to live.  Without others in our lives, we would be most miserable.  We are not alone on a rock somewhere in the ocean.

Our attitude, disposition, and the way we carry ourselves affect the people around us.  These effects can be negative or positive, depending on the circumstances, the hostility we project, or the kindness we show.  Each emotion is received differently—either with a frown or a smile.  Which would you rather encounter?  The answer is simple: a smile.

So why do we forget this when we allow our attitudes to run amok?  Do we not want to be treated with kindness rather than the dark side of someone else’s personality?

The Golden Rule says it well: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  This principle closely reflects Scripture.  One of the most well-known passages is Matthew 22:37-39, where Jesus states that loving your neighbor as yourself is the second greatest commandment, right after loving God.

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

To be honest, I am not above wrong attitudes or emotions.  Even as a Christian who loves the Lord, I still battle the old nature I once had before coming to Christ—a tendency toward anger and pettiness.  It is easy to say that in difficult moments we should focus on the good things of God.  But in reality, it is not easy to put on the garment of praise when life is hard.

I have found that when I finally surrender and ask God to forgive me, things begin to settle.  My spirit becomes pliable again to the Holy Spirit, and God speaks to my heart.  I sense Him saying, “I understand your frustration and what you are going through.”  Then comes the reassurance: “I am with you always.”  And finally, a gentle nudge forward: “You’ve sulked long enough—let’s continue your walk with Me.”  I take a deep breath and move forward with Jesus at my side.

These words remind us that our lives are not lived in isolation.  What we say, how we respond, and how we treat others in difficult moments reach beyond ourselves.  We may feel justified in withdrawing, but our behavior does not exist in a vacuum.  We remain connected to those around us, whether we realize it or not.

We all need moments of solitude, but even then, we must remember that others have feelings too.  We can take time for ourselves without making others suffer for our mood.

We are not islands unto ourselves.  We belong to families, friendships, communities, and to one another.  A simple smile, a kind word, or a little patience can lift the atmosphere around us.  Likewise, a harsh word, an angry expression, or cold indifference can leave a lasting mark.

The choice is ours: will we add to someone’s burden, or bring a little light into their day?  Loving our neighbor as ourselves begins with remembering that our actions matter—and that we are never as alone as we sometimes feel.

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

Procrastination can have serious consequences—even consequences that reach beyond this life.  I know that may sound a bit dramatic, but I’m trying to catch someone’s attention about the dangers of waiting too long to do something we know we should do.

When I think about someone—anyone, for that matter—perishing unnecessarily because they failed to act in a timely manner, it hurts my spirit.  Many people, including myself, have procrastinated far too much.  Sometimes I’ve seen negative results because of it.

Imagine being trapped in a second-story bedroom with a fire raging in the hallway just outside the closed door.  At that point, it would be a little late to install fresh batteries in the smoke detectors throughout the house.  That is an example of something important being pushed aside because it wasn’t convenient or because other things seemed more important at the time.  I’m sure you can think of another example.

When we know we need to do something that could mean the difference between life and death, it is not wise to put it off.

That example brings me to the thrust and bottom-line reason for this writing.

Last night, while staring at the ceiling in bed, my mind began reminiscing about the times I put God on the back burner of my mind, even though I knew He was the source of the peace I desperately needed in my runaway spirit.  I was running in the opposite direction—away from God.  I was procrastinating about giving my heart to Him, even though I was very much aware of how important it was.

Spiritual life or spiritual death was at stake.  Eternal life with God or eternal separation from Him was hanging in the balance.

I figured I was young enough to live my life the way I wanted without restrictions.  Why not come to the Lord when I was older and tired of living a rebellious lifestyle?

It’s amazing how many people have the same philosophy.

I’ve talked with people about their souls and where they want to spend eternity, but in too many cases, the response is essentially the same: I have plenty of time.  I’ll think about that later.

But do we?

None of us has any assurance that we will even see tomorrow, much less live long enough to grow old and decide that we are finally ready to make a change.  God forbid that an unsaved person should meet the Creator of all because of an unexpected or premature death.

None of us knows when our time on this earth will come to an end.  That is why it behooves all of us to be ready—to have our sins forgiven and to be walking with Jesus.

It is most important not to procrastinate when our soul is weighed in the balance.

To put off getting right with God is to take a terrible chance with something that lasts forever.  Life is short enough as it is.  Why would we risk waiting for a day that may never come, assuming that someday we will call upon His name and be saved?

The time we have on earth is limited.

The Bible gives us a powerful reminder in 2 Corinthians 6:2: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Now is the time.  Not tomorrow.  Not someday.  Not when we are older.  Today.

Forever and ever is a long time to be separated from God’s love and grace because we procrastinated too long and ran out of time.

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Are We Walking in Truth?

We all know the difference between telling a lie and walking in truth.  Yet sometimes the line between the two becomes blurred.  We may excuse the little compromises, and “white lies,” or the things we tell ourselves are not important, but God does not look at truth the way the world does.

Jesus said, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” — John 4:24

What does it mean to worship God in spirit and truth?  It means our worship must be real.

It cannot simply be words we speak, songs we sing, or a holiness we display for others to see.  True worship comes from within.  It begins in the heart and is reflected in the way we live.

1 John 2:4 says, “If someone claims, ‘I know God,’ but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.”

Those are strong words.

We can say we love God.  We can speak His name.  We can worship with our lips.  We can even look holy to everyone around us.  But if our lives continually contradict what we claim to believe, what are we really saying?

Jesus made it simple: “If you love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15

There is no façade with God.

People may see what we choose to show them, but God sees what is underneath.  He sees the heart.  He knows our motives.  He knows the thoughts we never speak aloud and the compromises no one else knows about.  And perhaps the hardest person to be honest with is ourselves.

We can become so accustomed to compromise that we no longer recognize it for what it is.  We can allow the world to influence our thoughts, our words, and our behavior while still proclaiming, “I love God.”  But are we walking in truth?

God is not looking for a performance.  He is looking for a heart that is genuine before Him.

At the end of the day, the choice is ours.  Truth or compromise.  Obedience or disobedience.  Genuine faith or a façade of holiness. 

We may fool others.  We may even fool ourselves.  But we will never fool God.  He sees beyond the words.  He sees the heart.  And He knows whether our worship is truly in spirit and truth.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

The Bridge of Grace

“Bridge over Troubled Water” is a popular song by the American folk-rock duo Simon & Garfunkel, released in January 1970.  I used to listen to this song in my youth, and it brings back memories of the days after I became a born-again Christian many years ago.

I learned about bridging the gap of sin when I attended a Billy Graham class on witnessing.  The instructor shared some important truths about the things that are absolutely impossible to use to span the “sin gap”—a gap where tears flow endlessly and lives are destroyed by sin.  Sin separates sinful humanity from a holy God.

People everywhere try to bridge this separation through good works, religion, being a good person, man’s limited philosophy, positive thinking, and even cult teachings filled with untruths.  But all of these efforts fall short.  None can bridge the gap.

The gap is sin, which entered the world because of humanity’s disobedience to God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3).

That class gave me valuable insight through Scripture into how to present Jesus Christ and the good news that He is the only hope of the world—the Savior whom humanity needs in order to be reconciled to God.

In the class, they handed out little “tracts” that illustrated God’s completed plan of salvation.  They were printed on small pieces of paper that were neatly secured between two thin pieces of hard covering—little booklets, easy to carry in one’s pocket.  On one page was a picture showing similar things I mentioned above that could not bridge the gap of sin.  God was on one side of the separation, and humanity was on the other.

On another page was a picture of a cross spanning the entire distance between man and God—the cross of Calvary.

Maybe you have seen tracts like this and have even handed them out as you witnessed for Christ.

Jesus died on the cross to restore mankind to God.  Only the cross of Calvary and the blood of Jesus, shed for our redemption, made this reunion possible.  Jesus Christ—His death on the cross and His miraculous resurrection from the dead—bridged the gap of sin.

The “bridge over troubled waters,” where sin steals away our relationship with Father God, can be crossed through Jesus Christ.  God has made a way for us to come back to Him through repentance, forgiveness, and faith in His Son.

This is a wonderful promise to all who sincerely come to Him in prayer.

God bless you as you continue to learn more about Him.

Written by,

Papa Boyd