Best Friends Forever

We read in (James 2:23) in the Bible that Abraham was called the friend of God.  I don’t know about you, but true friends are hard to come by.  A friend is more precious than having tickets to premium seats at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Though enjoyable and entertaining at the time, events in the Garden do not last, whereas a lifelong friend is forever; someone that sticks closer than a brother.  They understand you like no one else and are always ready to listen when times get tough.

In the tech world of informational knowhow, the ability to text and receive text messages is amazing technology, in my humble opinion.  It is mind blowing if you ask me.

I am an old guy that still remembers standing in a group of coworkers and hearing a pager sound out and everyone looking at their device to see if it was their pager going off.

Learning the lingo or should I say the shorthand version of sharing messages is quite challenging for this Senior Citizen.  I’m sure you have heard the expression, “You can’t teach old dogs’ new tricks.”  This certainly applies to me.

I am glad I have the Internet to ask what certain letters mean when I receive texts from my grandkids who are savvy and up on new ways to message that are overflowing with abbreviations. 

The following are just a few examples:  LOL…Laughing Out Loud; BRB…Be Right Back; WFH…Working From Home; IMHO…In My Humble Opinion; and the one that takes us back to my thought for today, BFF…Best Friends Forever.

My BFF is more precious than rubies—my wife.  God must have loved me a whole bunch to entrust this treasure to my safe keeping, to love and cherish till death do us part.

Before she came into my life, I was searching in all the wrong places for a companion to settle me down.  I could not find her anywhere until I included God in the search. 

During my failed attempts to locate her, I believed the Lord knew exactly where she was, but I hadn’t talked to Him in years since I was in my late teens.  It was at this rebellious time in my life that I strayed from His safekeeping and went my own way.

In my twenties, I was not a born-again Christian at this juncture.  I had been around the block of hard knocks a few times and was frustrated with the unsettled turmoil that was going on inside me.  I avoided God, while evading peace…not a good choice.

I thought I would take a chance and see what God could do for me.  I had no intension of allowing myself to renew my relationship with Him.  I just wanted a wife, a good woman to call my own.  I needed a person that understood me, loved me, and could tame me, thus helping me turn over new life ambitions.

In the next few moments, I found myself kneeling next to the unmade bed in my apartment bedroom.  I blurted out, “You know where she is!  Send her to me!

Strange as it may sound, I felt the wooing and tug of the Holy Spirit in my heart.  I thought God had forsaken me, because of my rebellious spirit.  But I was wrong!  He was standing patiently in line awaiting my return to Him.  He did not leave; it was me that walked away from Him.

Suddenly, a verse of scripture came thundering into my head that I had learned in Sunday School as a lad.  “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”  (Matthew 6:33). 

I sensed God was asking me this question: “How can I send you something good, when you’re living the life, you’re living?”  I was at a crossroads.  I felt a decision had to be made. 

I was given a choice… seek God and His righteousness and receive the desires of my heart or continue down the turbulent road of despair where peace eluded me.  He no longer wanted to be at the bottom of the list of desires, but at the top of my list.  God did not want to be turned on and off like a radio when I needed something.

You know the answer.  I went God’s way, which changed the course of the rest of my life.  Yes, you guessed it.  He sent me the woman I had been searching for…the wife I adore…my BFF.

God restored my relationship with His Son, Jesus.  He died on a cross for my sins, and because of His death and resurrection I am blessed with an abundant life that is full of peace and contentment…my BFF.

(John 15:13) “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd

I See Clearly Now

Close your eyes and what do you see?  Of all the body’s senses that we are blessed with, I feel that the sense of sight is the highest level of importance.  I closed my eyes and tried to walk, but immediately opened them for fear of stepping into a hole or hitting my face on a low hanging, tree branch.

I feel sad when I observe a person having lost their vision that is accompanied by a guide dog or using a red tipped cane to get around.  Instantly, I pause to appreciate my gift of sight that I too often take for granted. 

My dad lost vision in his left eye when he was a boy chopping wood.  A chip flew up and hit him in the eye.  He still had one good eye but was blind in the other.  

I have closed one eye to feel what effect it would have on me.  Three dimension (3D) was gone.  Everything became flat in appearance, because there was no depth perception.  Peripheral vision was marginal. 

I wanted Dad to play catch with me in my youth, but he could not see well enough to catch the ball.  Distant and close related objects coming at him, like a thrown ball, were very difficult to catch.

I understand that blue eyed people are more prone to suffer with cataracts as they age.  I was struggling with my sight until an eye specialist removed a cataract from my right eye and put in a new lens.   I am thankful to the doctor and the new lens.  I think the first words out of my mouth were, “I see clearly now!” 

Vision is 20/20 in that eye…from darkness to light.  The eye chart at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) should be a sinch when I renew my driver’s license this year.

Even with good vision, I stepped on a raised portion of a sidewalk the wrong way and twisted my ankle.  And one day walking with my wife, I failed to see a low spot in the path ahead of us, stepped into it, and wrenched my back.  Seeing clearly and being aware of one’s surroundings are extremely vital to our wellbeing.

Memory is like a window into the past.  I see clearly and remember, as a child, quoting the catch phrase: “I see said the blind carpenter as he picked up his hammer and saw.”  There was also an old English nursery rhyme and musical round that I sang: “Three blind mice.”

Before I became a Christian, I was spiritually blind as a bat, and ran around like one of the three blind mice, not seeing the pitfalls that Satan placed in my pathway, which caused me to fall.  The pain from these falls was unbearable until I met Jesus.  

The “new birth” experience that happened when I asked God to forgive me of my sins was an eye opener to say the least.  Being “born-again” has given me clarity of vision.  I see clearly now where to place my next step, because God is walking with me.  He opens my eyes to things that are detrimental to my spiritual growth in the Lord. 

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,” is a chorus I have sung in church for years.  How true it is, when we look upon His face rather than sin, the things in this world grow dim in the light of His glory and grace.

The first verse in the song, “Amazing Grace” says it very nicely.  “Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost but now am found; was blind but now I see.”

Being visually impaired is terrible, but being spiritually blind is worse.  Jesus restores vision to the blind as He removes cataracts of sin from the heart.  “I see clearly now” are the words that a sinner, saved by grace, will be shouting when Jesus opens their blinded eyes.

This song is likened to eyesight, which helps a person understand the beauty of being able to take in the magnificence of God through the born-again experience when they invite Jesus into their heart.  Old things pass away, and all things become new in Him.

The three blind mice certainly had their encounter with the farmer’s wife, in the end.  I don’t have to worry about my backside, because Jesus has my six.  He protects me from all backdoor attempts by Satan to hurt me.

The Lord tells me to stand in His strength against the devil with the Whole Armor of God protecting my front side.  God will do the rest.  He sees everything and nothing gets past Him because He is omnipresent (everywhere).

Sin loves darkness not light.  If a person is holding onto night-vision goggles, they need to toss them and not wink at sin or even close their eyes at times, hoping it goes away. 

The temptation to sin is like rolling through a flashing, red light at a railroad crossing without stopping.  If we fail to STOP, LOOK, and LISTEN before crossing, we may suffer the consequences of disregarding the warning signs.  We need to stop, open our eyes wide and listen to God speaking to us through His Word, the Bible.

I see clearly now speaks of those who have seen the Light and have come out of darkness, wearing the Whole Armor of God.

(Ephesians 6:11-17) “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (12) “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (13) “Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (14) “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” (15) “and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;” (16) “above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.” (17) “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” (18) “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Written by,

Papa Boyd 

A Symphony of Words

I often listen to a certain music artist when I slip into bed at night.  His music soothes and calms the inner person as I drift off to sleep.   I don’t know if the artist is a Christian, but his music is heavenly. 

The beauty of this man’s ability to create and play the piano is exceptional and a blessing.  Though it is a single person playing at times, it sounds like a symphony of music because of the beauty that he composed.

Usually, in the evening after a busy day, I kick back into my easy chair.  I try to bring my mind under subjection without the TV blasting in the background or other distractions that may be happening.  I just rest my mind from the challenges that the day brought.

As I listen to what is stirring in my mind, I jot down the thoughts as I focus on what is being revealed.  When I compose a writing from these thoughts, I pray that they will bless the heart of those that read my symphony of words that I posted to the blog I created.

From time to time, I receive a positive comment from a reader that my writings have encouraged them, which in return blesses me.  My desire is that people who read my writings will be touched in such a way that they are stimulated by the content that they might not otherwise hear or read.

My writings are not to condemn, chastise, or judge in any way, but to uplift and strengthen individuals needing encouragement, without all the hype of discrimination or condemnation.

I want to sooth, with words, the inner character of people that are searching for answers, like a symphony of music.  I try to bring peace to their soul if they are craving harmony.  I believe that God has a plan for everyone’s life, yet His direction can become clouded, like fog. 

My goal is to present the Prince of Peace, Jesus, into their world of “what ifs” and “if I should” regarding the route they should travel.  This requires a map.  The unknown is mysterious and a bit scary at times when a person cannot see what the future holds or what lies around the corner.

The Bible is my map, which helps me to find my way in foggy areas of life when directional signs are dimly lighted.  Detour signs could be a strategy of the enemy of our souls to send us off course from our intended safe place.   

What seems right, may, in fact, be the wrong direction because the path is dark, without proper lighting.  This is where the Bible comes into play.  It is like a flashlight or huge headlight that illuminates the way and provides peace of mind that the heading is the right direction.

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

When I read the Bible, it is like music to my ears, received through the eye gate.  It is the inerrant Word of God, composed by holy men of old that were breathed upon by the Holy Spirit to produce a symphony of words that brings peace to the reader, while providing direction to whoever reads it.

I would encourage you to consume its truth, while you steal away to a place of solace and allow the words to bring a symphony of comfort to your soul.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

 

It's Not Too Late

Perhaps a word or phrase in this writing can challenge you in a positive way.  It may stimulate your curiosity to consider if Jesus Christ is all that preachers and Bible scholars say that He is, or not.

I speak from personal experience concerning the encounter I had with God.  It was an absolute miracle that took place when I invited Jesus into my heart.  Peace like a river came flooding in.  The Bible says that Jesus is the Prince of Peace.  It was He Who took up residence within me.

I sincerely believe that Jesus is, indeed, the Son of God, because of what He did for me.  He gave His life on a cross for the redemption of humanity.  This included you and me. 

When I encountered God’s saving grace, positive changes took place inside me.  This amazing awakening and transformation really took place.  There is no doubt about it.  I was lost but now I’m found…a sinner saved by grace. 

To bring it closer to home and personal, Jesus loves you with a never ending, and compassionate love.  He knows your name, because you are very important to Him.  He loved you so much that He died for you, rather than you having to provide sacrifices of burnt offerings to God for the forgiveness of sin. 

Jesus became the atonement for sin when He exclaimed on the cross, “It is finished!” after being crucified.  He then yielded up His spirit.  God’s plan of salvation was now completed.

(John 15:13) “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”

(John 3:16) “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.”

You may consider yourself a good person and wonder if this writing applies to you.  No doubt you are, but the Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.  This pertains to you, me, and every person born.

Adam and Eve’s blunder in the Garden of Eden occurred because they were beguiled by the serpent, Satan, to ignore God’s warning.  Sin entered the world.  We inherited their sin-nature the moment they disobeyed God and ate the fruit that He commanded them not to eat.

They were banished from the Garden of Eden because they sinned against God.  They chose to disregard God and walked away from Him rather than abide in His favor.  Because of their sin, we need a Savior to free us from the stigma of Satan’s sin-nature that was transferred to us from the first man and woman on earth.  Their sin affected all of mankind from that day forward.

Accepting Jesus as Lord eliminates this nature and provides the hope of eternal life in heaven when we take our last breath.  There is no other way to make heaven our home except through Jesus.

(Acts 4:12) “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

You have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you surrender your old nature to the Lord.  If Jesus was just a man instead of Deity, then what He said about heaven and hell was a myth and fabricated.  If this were the case, we need not concern ourselves or worry about where we will spend eternity, because we will just fade into oblivion and that’s it.

Since I experienced, firsthand, God’s transformation, I am convinced that Jesus was and is Deity…God incarnated into flesh and blood.  Jesus was God/Man.  I believe He purchased a one-way ticket for us, figuratively speaking, to heaven when He gave His life for you and me.

Salvation is so simple to achieve that a person needs only to open their heart and receive His gift of love.  It is free for the asking to whoever will, which means you and me.  The Bible tells us to try Jesus to see that He is truly the Lord of glory and the hope for mankind.  If you were the only person on earth that sinned, Jesus would have died for you.

(Psalm 34:8) “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trust in Him!”

It is hard to grasp this concept and comprehend His mercy, because we compare spiritual things to the physical or tangible.  They don’t mix.  We must worship God in spirit and in truth, because He is Spirit.

(1 Corinthians 2:14) “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 

It is also difficult to explain the measure of God’s phenomenal love except with this word…Agape.  It is God’s unmerited love for us.  It is unmeasurable in height, depth, and width.  Because of this agape love, the Creator, Himself died for your sins so that you would not be lost.  He would that you have the hope of enjoying eternal life in heaven.

This assurance happens the moment you ask God to forgive your sins.  It is that simple.  God made it easy, because He wants you to come as you are with your questions and hang-ups.  He will make you perfect through Jesus, His Son.

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

The Bible says it’s like we never sinned, because the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all unrighteousness and cancels out the inherited sin of Adam and Eve.  God throws our sins into the sea of His forgetfulness, never to remember them against us again.  Wow!  This promise is amazing!

The dividends of the new birth are many and last forever.  Just ask and receive.  Don’t wait another second.  The family of God is just a prayer away.  The Lord is waiting with open arms to welcome you into the fold.  It’s not too late to give your heart to Jesus.  Today is the day of salvation, not tomorrow.  We have no assurance of tomorrow.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

God Keeps Giving and Giving

I believe that every person should consider which side of their bread was buttered on, and by whom.  We are a nation of plenty, not like some countries that are struggling.  I am glad I was born in America.  Let’s face it, whatever we have, the Lord supplied it. 

Some people want to take credit for their success, inclusive of everything they own, but God gave the increase by giving individuals the mental capacity and drive to accomplish their goals.  Good health certainly enters the equation of success, which allows a person to achieve their desires through hard work and persistence.  We have God to thank for this.  He gives and keeps on giving.

Because of education or being self-taught by reading “How To” books, these people are knowledgeable and have abilities that far surpass the average thinker.  They can see through and grasp how to solve complex issues better than the next person.  Not everyone has this aptitude.  It is God given.

I have used the phrase “Jack of all trades and master of none” to explain my abilities to accomplish certain milestones.  But one thing is certain, I recognize it is because of God that I can do what I do, and I give Him praise for the agility and conviction to get things done.

I try to never take things for granted as relying on my own intellect or position in life to accomplish something.  I owe all my capabilities and all that I have to God.  We can do nothing without His influence.  Being puffed up in oneself is vain, but there are those that do this, while failing to give credit where credit is due.  

There is no justification in trying to take the glory for whatever is done without giving God the praise.  I never want to usurp God’s influence and set myself above Him by taking credit for things that He was in control of.

Those that elevate themselves above another person are prone to look down on those less fortunate.  This is wrong anyway you look at it.  The act of trying to elevate oneself means nothing in the scheme of things. 

There are people around us that may seem a bit odd or out of sorts at times, yet they remain happy in the Lord exactly where they are.  Their expectations of achieving a higher standard of living are usually secondary in their thinking.

These individuals, no doubt, are full of skills and talents that may exceed the intellectual faculties of the person who is looking down their nose at them.  Those that think they have achieved total success in their own eyes are failing to recognize the vanity within.  

Those that seem out of sorts to the onlooker, could very well be the next person to discover an antidote or vaccine that eradicates certain diseases.  They may be the ones to achieve tectological innovations that could change the course of history forever. 

Each of us has our own special gifts and abilities given to us by God Almighty.  He created us and gave each person everything needed to succeed.  Just because a person is perceived to be lacking in certain areas does not justify ridicule. 

No matter how sophisticated or high on the scale of success a scoffer ranks themselves, it does not warrant the display of unkindness.  Even though we have God-given talents of which He gave us, anyone, notwithstanding rank, could find themselves in a desperate, unsettling situation at any time, with assets gone.

From the wealthiest to the less fortunate, we are all privileged to have received the breath of life that God breathed into us. He provides the oxygen we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat.  The Lord is supreme and the hope of mankind.  No one should think of themself as a higher power of some kind.  God gives the increase. 

Humanity, created by God, puts on trousers one leg at a time, no matter how expensive or inexpensive they might be.  Though some people live in luxurious homes and others in poor areas, we all sit to do our business, whether in a polished, self-flushing commode, or some other type of receptacle. 

No one should elevate themselves above another person.  Those that look down on others need to reevaluate themselves and find compassion rather than finding fault in others. 

God is the One we need to honor wherever our station in life may be.  God is the giver of every good and perfect gift.  Remember, wealth and status can, in a moment of time, turn to poverty because of failing stocks, health issues and a thousand other reasons. Anyone of us could find ourselves wanting before another day passes.

It is only by the grace of God that we live as well as we do.  We need to keep in mind that God is our source, not our position, fame, or fortune.

When we take our eyes off ourselves, we can see more clearly those less fortunate, and help when we can.  If a legitimate need presents itself, we should listen to our heart and assist as God directs.  I believe that the Lord honors those that give, not only monetarily, but their time as well.  God blesses us as we bless others, while doing His service.  You cannot outgive God.

(Matthew 25:34-40) “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:’ (35) ‘for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;’  (36) ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’  (37) “Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?’  (38) ‘When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?’ (39) ‘Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ (40) “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ ”

Everything on earth was created by God and everything belongs to Him.  We are stewards of His creation, and everyone matters to Him whether rich or poor. 

We are accountable to do good unto others and help as we are prompted by the Holy Spirit.  If we give a cup of cold water in the name of the Lord, we have done it unto Him.

(Luke 6:38) “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.”

I believe that God is still taking inventory of our actions and follow through in how we treat one another.  We should not allow our heart to become callused and hardened like a stone but keep it a heart of flesh when considering the needs of others.

(1 John 3:17, 18) “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (18) “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

Jesus said that it is more blessed to give than to receive.  He gives us a mind to discern the purpose and motivation of those around us whether there is a genuine need that we should give our attention to or continue our way.

I also believe that God expects us to work for the bread on our table and give Him thanks for it.  We are to give an honest day’s labor for the wages earned.  But because of circumstances beyond a person’s control, they may not be able to work.  This is where the work of the Lord acts in love. 

We need to keep our ears open to the voice of God and be willing to give when a sincere need presents itself.  He will let the giver know how a need can be met, and then do what the tenderness inside you tells you to do.  God will pour blessings your way that you cannot contain.  We do not give to get, but it works that way, because the Bible says that it will.  (Luke 6:38)

There is no feeling like receiving a sincere, heartfelt thank you from a person you ministered to, as you look at the smile of appreciation on their face.  The fulfillment you get is payment enough, because you know a need was met through yielding to God’s Spirit.  It is amazing to be used of God to meet the need of someone that was in a bad place.  Have ears to hear what God is saying.

Another area of giving involves one tenth of the money we earn.  It is called tithing, which is a commandment of God.  I have found that I can do more with ninety percent of my earnings than the full one hundred percent.  It just works that way.  God keeps giving and giving as I honor His Word.

(Malachi 3:8) “Will a man rob God?  Yet you have robbed Me!  But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’   In tithes and offerings.”

I want to be right in all my decision making and not wrong in the choices made on earth.  We cannot outgive God, because He keeps giving and giving into our bosom as we give away from ourselves.  He has blessed me beyond measure my whole Christian life since I started tithing.

God bless you as you consider the words you have read.

Written by,

Papa Boyd

Were It Not For Heroes

As I ponder the National Holiday of Memorial Day, that we celebrated last Monday, I am reminded of loved ones, my heroes, that have passed and gone on to their reward in heaven.  The influence and legacy they left are very pronounced in forming the traits I have today.  The role they played certainly impacted my character and helped shape it.

As a nation, the United Stated is infused in liberty and has her heroes to thank for the freedom we enjoy.  Military personnel gave their lives for our independence and sovereignty.  They deserve respect and recognition for their heroism as they faced uncertainty and danger.

Our heroes did not die in vain when they faced the perils of keeping the peace and fighting in wars.  Americans are free to worship God as they desire without fear of being imprisoned or killed for their faith.

Conflicts of any kind can produce feelings of angst in the hearts of Peacekeepers.  Troops face risk with readiness and bravery, because of the training received in bootcamp and personal experience in combat. They have determination to accomplish an objective, which produces endurance and the hope of success.

I am prompted to remember, also, the twelve disciples that followed Jesus as He taught them how to become fishers of men.  I believe their goal was twofold…to be more like Jesus and spread the Good News to the world about God’s kingdom.

When facing danger and harsh criticism for their faith, they put aside fear and conquered it by doing—doing the Lord’s work.  Each disciple did this without compromise, knowing that the freedom of man’s soul, through Christ, was more important than their own safety, even if it meant giving their life for the cause of liberty and the forgiveness of sin. 

They had hope that their objective would, through God Almighty, be accomplished.  I believe they had faith in the knowledge that to be absent from this body was to be present with the Lord.  This understanding transmitted into bravery, which cast fear from them.

Prior to Jesus being crucified for the sins of humanity, He told the disciples that He was leaving them to prepare a place that where He was, they would be there also.  A wonderful hope indeed!  Think about it!  Heaven, where there will be no more pain or fighting battles of any kind.

The Bible tells us that the Apostle Peter, the leader of the twelve disciples of Jesus, was crucified upside down, because he felt unworthy to be martyred in the same fashion as his Lord, Jesus.

Where did he find the strength to face death in this manner?  His belief in the teachings of Jesus exceeded his fear of death because the Spirit of God dwelled within him.  This happened on the Day of Pentecost when 120 Believers were filled with the Spirit as they waited in an upper room to be empowered from heaven.  They were made perfect in love as God’s Spirit fell on each one.

(1 John 4:18) “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.

All the disciples, except for John the Beloved, were martyred for the cause of freedom in Christ that they were witnessing to others about.  These heroes of the faith wanted God’s kingdom to be experienced by all, through Jesus the Lord.

I am thankful for the freedom I have in the United States of America because of heroes that gave their all, from our military branches.  I am full of gratitude that I have the freedom to worship as I please and share my faith with others without fear of retaliation by lost souls needing the Savior.

Were it not for heroes of the faith working together for the good of mankind, having one common goal of saving souls, the early church would not have existed.  But the power of God was with them as they touched lives.  The early church was born. 

We have their example and legacy to look back on, which gives me strength in knowing that I have a bigger power working within me to battle against the darkness of this world.

The power of God was with the early church as they touched lives with the message that God forgives sin through His Son, Jesus.   We can have that same power working in us, today, as we too become heroes of the faith.

The definition of hero: “A person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements or noble qualities who was an inspiration to others.”

Jesus is all the above and more.  I can come boldly to God through Him because I am a child of God.  He shed His blood for you and me, making Him my hero.  Allow Jesus to bring total freedom to you.  I want the Lord to be your hero also. 

 

Written by,

Papa Boyd