It's been done

Acts 26:22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: 23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles."

Paul is on trial in front of King Agrippa and he shares his testimony. His words are rational, clear and concise. These two lines sum up Paul's ministry, that he is helped by God to tell others that what the Old Testament has already written has come to pass. His words are of encouragement and hope, yet Festus said Paul was out of his mind. To those who do not receive revelation from the Holy Spirit, words of truth are radical and mind blowing.

Hanzo mentioned something last night that I've been thinking a lot about. He said that the things of the world make sense to those who are fallen and it is God's truth that flips the perspective of the world upside down. I see this here with Paul in that he is telling the truth but it absolutely boggles the unbeliever's mind. So how do I share that which sounds so crazy to people of this world? How do I keep pursuing the truth and not allow the world's way of thinking to consume me? God's truth is full of love, grace, and hope. Why do we, as fallen humans, choose to disbelieve God's goodness? Is it so hard to believe that the God of the universe who created us loves us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to make a way for us to be with Him in eternity? Instead, we choose the pity party route. "Oh no, how can God be a good God if I think that things are bad? I'll just believe that He doesn't exist because I think that no God is better than a God who has a different judgment from my own." What a negative generation! I know that I think this way often and I need to repent. I need to take God's truth and believe it with all that I am. He says to rejoice. He says to have peace. He says to love. He says that He loves me. He says that He has a plan for me. He is good. He is faithful. He has abundant grace and mercy. I can stand on this truth because it is solid and firm no matter how uncertain the knowledge and ways of this world are.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for being so negative and buying into the world's way of thinking. I repent and I turn to Your truth and stand upon it confidently. Thank you for fulfilling Your promises. Lord, thank You for forgiving me. Show me, Jesus, how to be more and more like You. May I die to who I am and claim my life in You. I want to live a resurrected, new and hopeful life instead of an old, stale, and depressed life. I love You, Lord. You are my daily bread. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.