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Or do you have no regard for the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]? Romans 2:4 AMP Mercy and Grace The terms mercy and grace are closely related but also distinct. Mercy can be understood as a subcategory of grace. Mercy is when a person holds back something unfavorable to someone who deserves it. Grace is when a person gives favor to someone who doesnt deserve it. Mercy speaks to the Lord's compassion in that He withholds the consequences we deserve for our sins, namely death and His final judgement. Scripture tells us that for the believer, He doesn't deal with us according to our sins or pay us back for our wrongdoings (Ps 103:10). God's infinite mercy is poured out onto those who put their faith in Jesus. What a massive relief! That's awesome! Grace involves all these aspects but also includes showing even more favor, in that the Lord blesses us with gifts we don't deserve. In Scripture, mercy speaks to being rescued from God's wrath and condemnation, while grace speaks to being recipients of God's gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus. Even our faith is a gift of God's grace (Eph 2:8). The Lord both rescues us in His mercy and saves us by His grace. What a reason to rejoice! That's amazing! God's Kindness The Bible tells us there is not a single good person on this earth (Rom 3:10-12). All of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Ecc 7:20; Rom 3:23; 1 John 1:8), making us all deserving of death and God's final judgment. If God gave us what we actually deserve, all of humanity would be eternally condemned this very second. Therefore, every day is evidence of God's kindness; His gracious mercy toward sinners. He compassionately withholds His just judgement for the present time and instead blesses us each day with the opportunity to repent, turn to Jesus, and be saved. Not only that, He kindly showers us with even more blessings; gifts like our family and friends, our dogs and cats, sunshine and His warmth, nature and His beauty, good food and His nourishment, the ability to discover, learn, and have fun, as well as the very air we breathe...all of these gifts are meant to lead us to repentance and point us to Jesus. Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? (Romans 2:4). Given Freely If grace was something we could earn then it would't be grace at all. Grace is only grace when it is given freely by the Giver. The good things we experience in this life is not due to who we are, what we do, or how hard we try. None of us are entitled to receive anything good from God, and He is never obligated to bless us. Rather, every good thing we experience is due to who God is by nature. The beauty of grace is only found in the character of the One giving it. Scripture tells us that God's character is good, kind, and rich in mercy (Eph 2:4), and His grace is defined as "unmerited favor," given freely by Him. Ephesians 2:5 says that even when we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive, and that it is only by His grace that we are saved. 1 Peter 1:3 says, according to His great mercy, God caused us to be born again to a living hope through Jesus. Eternal life is a free gift by God and from God alone. Common Vs Saving Grace He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). This is a reference to God's benevolence and common grace toward all of humanity. God's common grace refers to His blessings given to every person regardless of their lost or saved spiritual state, while saving grace is the grand blessing through which God grants eternal life to all who believe in Jesus. The salvation Jesus Christ offers the entire world demonstrates God's astounding mercy and grace to every sinner who walks this earth. Although we all deserve His judgment, through faith in Jesus, believers receive God's mercy and saving grace instead. As believers, He lets us trade Judgement Day and His eternal wrath for "Well done good and faithful servant" and eternal life. Saving grace is that amazing grace we sing about in that song! The Gift of Time The gift of time is one of God's greatest common graces to humanity. Therefore, every day is another day living in the time of His favor. Every day is a yet another opportunity for people to repent of their sins, trust in Jesus, and be saved. For He says, “In the time of My favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). So, let's not put off our salvation one minute longer because tomorrow may never come. For the unsaved person, today is the day to put your faith in Jesus and be saved. Now is the time. For the believer, let's make the best use of our time and make today count for eternity. ;) Only Because of Jesus It's only because of Jesus’ perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection that we are forgiven of all our sins, escape death and judgement, receive eternal life, and get to experience a life of abundance here on earth (John 10:10) — all of which are gifts of God's amazing grace. Jesus did all the work for us, and eternal life is a free gift. Our response to freely receiving His mercy and grace should be a life of humility, gratitude, loving obedience and service to God, and unending praise to Him through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen! Today, let's tell someone about Jesus so that they can come to trust Him and receive God's gracious mercy and amazing grace too. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrew 4:16 Then I called on the name of the Lord: "Please, Lord, save me!" How kind the Lord is! How good He is! So merciful, this God of ours! The Lord protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and He saved me. Let my soul be at rest again, for the Lord has been good to me. Psalm 116:4-7

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1: 18; 30-31 "Ignorance of Scripture is the most dangerous self-inflicted wound." – Dale Partridge. "Satan’s greatest weapon is man’s ignorance of God’s Word." – A.W. Tozer. Ignorance Versus Wisdom The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). Fear in this context means reverence and awe. Ignorance is defined as lacking the correct knowledge or proper understanding of something. Individuals who are ignorant are uninformed or unaware. Sometimes, our ignorance stems from not realizing there is something we need to know. Other times, it may be a deliberate choice to remain ignorant. This is known as willful ignorance. What does the Bible say about ignorance versus wisdom? First, the Lord mercifully cautions us against ignorance: "My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you" (Hosea 4:6). This goes beyond having a simple lack of information; it is a deliberate refusal of the valuable knowledge God has given to us in His Word. It represents a sinful ignorance that comes by choice because of our own pride. While ignorance about earthly matters might be excusable and be of little consequence, willful ignorance regarding spiritual matters is a tragedy and carries eternal consequences. When we refuse or reject the knowledge offered to us in the Bible, namely the Gospel message, we ultimately reject God Himself. We lead to our own eternal demise because of willful ignorance. Now what does the Bible say about wisdom? Wisdom stands in stark contrast to ignorance, and our main pursuit should be to seek wisdom above all things (Prov 3:13-18). By delving into God's Word, we can exchange our ignorance for wisdom, discernment, and understanding. God offers wisdom to everyone and generously gives it to everyone who asks for it (James 1:5). The Scriptures freely provide us with all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) . Through faith in Jesus Christ, Scripture equips us with the knowledge and wisdom necessary to lead a meaningful and abundant life of true purpose that leads to eternal life. The Lord does not withhold anything we need to know for this life or the next. It's all right there for us. All we have to do is open the Scriptures for ourselves and believe what God is telling us. Now is The Right Time! God's patience on this side of eternity is evident through His long-suffering nature, granting us the valuable gift of time as part of His common grace. This time allows us to turn away from our sins, embrace Jesus as our Savior, and receive salvation, escaping eternal destruction. Despite mankind’s reluctance to seek Him in the Scriptures, the Lord generously provides us with numerous chances, some more than others. As Paul states, God extended mercy to him even when he was acting in ignorance and unbelief (1 Tim 1:13). The Lord's patience and mercy endure, even in our willful ignorance, as He desires all to repent and turn to Him. He doesn’t want anyone to perish but everyone to come to a saving knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:9). Very sadly, many will still die in their sins due to their stubbornness and deliberate ignorance, and on the Day of Judgment, they won’t be able to blame anyone but themselves. But still, many will repent and turn to Jesus and be saved, all by His grace. Hallelujah! It is comforting and hopeful to know that Jesus is always available to us on this side of eternity, being long-suffering and extending His mercy and grace to us every day. However, we must not take His patience and mercy for granted. The Lord urges us to seek Him without delay, as Scripture states that today is the day of salvation; now is the right time. As it is written, He says that now is the day of salvation. For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2). Since we don't know how much time we have left on this earth, we shouldn't put off our salvation, as we could die in our sins at any moment. When confronted with the Gospel truth, we must not harden our hearts to it (Heb 3:8) but embrace it wholeheartedly. Ignoring the truth or putting it off (saying we will submit to it later or when we’re “ready”) will only make it harder to accept in the future. We cannot ever assume that we will have another opportunity to embrace the truth in Jesus and be saved; thus, now is the right time to repent and believe in Him. Calling Everyone, Everywhere When Scripture commands us to listen, it presents another valuable opportunity to exchange our ignorance for wisdom. In Proverbs Chapter One, wisdom is portrayed as a woman calling out in the streets, urging everyone to seek knowledge and wisdom. She warns about the dire consequences for those who reject her. Her message is passionate, repetitive, and clear. She invites all to seek her while there is still time. She can be found in plain sight and is accessible to all those who genuinely seek her. While sinful temptations are secretive and covert, wisdom is openly available for all to find. In Proverbs 1:20-33, wisdom is personified as someone we can become acquainted with. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul explains that Jesus embodies wisdom from God. "And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption," (1 Cor 1:30). True wisdom is attained through having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, by grace through faith. Jesus is the highest, purest form of wisdom that exists. He encompasses it all: He is our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption (1 Cor 1:30) and the only One who offers us eternal life. Knowing Jesus intimately as our Lord and Savior is possessing genuine wisdom; the highest, purest wisdom there is! ​ True Wisdom The wisdom discovered in the Scriptures surpasses all the wealth in the world (Prov 3:15-17) as it directs us to Jesus, the only way of salvation and our only source of hope. There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. (John 14:6). The Gospel is true wisdom. To those who do not believe or ignore it, the Gospel is foolish, but to believers, it is the wisdom and power of God (1 Cor 1:18-25). The message of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection embodies the highest wisdom there is, as the Gospel itself is the power to eternally redeem all who repent of their sins and believe in Jesus Christ alone. (Rom 1:16) The Gospel Message Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary and took on human form as the God-man; fully man and fully God. Jesus lived a sinless life, perfectly obeying His Father's will, even to the point of death on a cross (Phil 2:8). He died as our perfect substitute and the propitiation for our sins, satisfying the judgment and wrath of God, and ultimately conquering death. Jesus' final words were, "It is finished" (John 19:30), signifying the completion of His sacrifice for the sins of all who would ever come to believe in Him. By shedding His blood on the cross for us, Jesus paid our debt in full (Eph 1:7). As believers, He wiped away all our sins (past, present, and future) by nailing them to the cross (Col 2:14). After His death and burial, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, offering eternal life to all those who believe in Him. Jesus' resurrection serves as the supreme proof of His divinity, as only God could perform such a miraculous act. God's Hidden Wisdom But as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor 2:9).   The verse is often mistakenly thought to be about the marvels of heaven, but it actually pertains to the wisdom that God has revealed to those who believe in Jesus. Essentially, God's truth cannot be understood through sight or hearing (objective or empirical proof), nor can it be comprehended through emotions, thoughts, or human intellect (subjective or rational deductions). Divine wisdom is concealed and can only be uncovered and comprehended by those who put their faith in Jesus. This wisdom from God is often foolish and even offensive to unbelievers. That's because without the presence of the Holy Spirit within, God's wisdom cannot be fully comprehended, trusted, or cherished (1 Cor 2:14). True wisdom, given by the Holy Spirit, is only granted to those who believe in Jesus. Salvation and all its accompanying blessings (including wisdom) are entirely bestowed by grace. It’s all a gift. Neither salvation nor divine wisdom can be earned or sought after by our own human efforts. These are gifts and can only be given to us from the Lord Himself. For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Prov 2:6. For those who have received repentance, faith, wisdom, and ultimately salvation in Jesus, it is entirely a gift without any opportunity for self-congratulation. Salvation is not by works but by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. As believers, the only One we can boast in is the Lord. Even our faith is a gift by His grace. And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Cor 1:30-31   For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,   but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Cor 1:22-23 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, Rom 1:16 Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path . Psalm 119:105 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Prov 3:15-17 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Tim 3:15

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18 "Sands" 48"x36" Acrylic on Canvas • Edward Herbeck • herbeckart.com What is True Wisdom? What does it mean to be wise? What is true wisdom? The world tells us that wisdom comes from old age or life experience, and yes, sometimes it does. But the Bible tells us that true wisdom only begins with faith in Jesus. The Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Proverbs 9:10 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19  As the Scriptures say, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise     and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.” 20  So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21  Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never know Him through human wisdom, He has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22  It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23  So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. 24  But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 No Secret About It The message of the cross is true wisdom. Believing the gospel is what makes one truly wise. To the “ worldly wise and intelligent” who are headed for destruction, the gospel is foolish. But to us who are being saved, the gospel is true wisdom and the very power of God (1 Cor 1:18-25). The message of the cross is the highest wisdom one could ever attain, as the gospel itself is the power of God to redeem all sinners who repent and believe on His Son, Jesus (Rom 1:16).   When the Word of God commands us to listen, the Lord presents an invaluable opportunity to exchange our ignorance for true wisdom. In Proverbs One, wisdom is portrayed as a woman sitting at the gates and calling out into the streets, urging everyone passing by to seek wisdom; to gain knowledge, understanding, and good judgment. She earnestly invites all to seek her while there is still time and warns about the dire consequences for those who reject her. Her message is clear, caring, and repetitive, and she can be found in plain sight. While sinful temptations are secretive and covert, true wisdom is openly available for all to find. The Bible is the biggest selling book of all time! There’s no secret about it!   Knowing and Following Jesus Proverbs 1:20-33 personifies wisdom as someone we can get to know. In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he explains that Jesus is the embodiment of wisdom from God. "And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption," (1 Cor 1:30). Jesus is the highest form of wisdom that exists, as He’s the Only One who offers us redemption and eternal life, by grace through faith in Him. As our wisdom, Jesus encompasses it all: our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. True wisdom is not found in mere life experiences, man-made religion, or this passing world. True wisdom comes only from knowing and following Jesus. It comes from having a personal relationship with Him that will surpass this world and last forever. So even if you're a young Christian, you are truly wise. Or maybe you're an old geezer and recently gave your life to Christ. Maybe cuttin' it a bit close there buddy ;) , but that's the wisest thing you could ever do! And it's all by His grace. True wisdom is a gift.   Wonderful Counselor In Scripture, Jesus is referred to as, "Wonderful Counselor" (Isaiah 9:6) As our Wonderful Counselor, Jesus always councils and guides us to follow the right path and do what is right. Since Jesus is sound wisdom and perfect insight, He knows what’s best for us. He shows us the way we should go and works out everything for our good, as we become more like Him in the process. (Isaiah 30:21, Romans 8:28-30).   So, you can rest in Jesus. Even when trials and troubles come, you can still sit back and relax on His comfy couch. You can trust in His perfect wisdom, insight, and guidance through every problem, knowing He solved your biggest problem 2,000 years ago on the cross. Thank Him, praise Him, and then give Him all your burdens and anxieties because He cares for you. He’s your Wonderful Counselor who always has your best interest. Jesus will help you and give you the wisdom you need,and make the way clear one step at a time. Just ask Him and then wait in hopeful expectation. Hope in Jesus is such a strong feeling because it's a reality! Thank you for your encouragement, Mom ;) The Message of the Cross Jesus lived a perfect life. He died for you on the cross, saving you from your sins. After His death and burial, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, offering eternal life to all those who believe in Him. Jesus' resurrection serves as the supreme evidence that He truly is God, as only God Himself could perform such a miracle. So now whoever believes in Jesus shall not be headed for destruction but have the gift of eternal life. Salvation is not by works or "being a good person." It is only by grace through faith in Jesus that you are saved. Eternal life is a free gift by His grace. Jesus is our true wisdom. Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Psalm 119:105

Jenna's recommendations of Christian ministries that hold to biblically sound doctrine and reformed theology with faithful ministers of the Word who provide trustworthy teaching and exegetical preaching on Scripture through selected sermons, podcasts, and biblical lessons. Resources Gospel Interview of the Week Is This Another Mario? Get Your Kleenex Ready Ray Comfort Living Waters Ministries Paul Washer Heartcry Ministries John MacArthur Grace to You Ministries Alistair Begg Truth for Life Ministries RC Sproul Ligonier Ministries Tim Conway Tim Conway Ministries My Other Recommendations Johnny Ardavanis Dial In Ministries Sinclair Ferguson Ligonier Ministries Justin Peters Justin Peters Ministries Tim Challies Tim Challies Ministries Todd Friel Wretched Radio Voddie Baucham Voddie Baucham Ministries Doreen Virtue Doreen Virtue Ministries Allie Beth Stuckey Allie Beth Stuckey Ministries My favorite Classic Theologians Charles Spurgeon Jonathan Edwards Martyn Lloyd-Jones Martin Luther John Calvin George Whitefield Faithful Gospel Preachers False Teachers to Avoid "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 Check out Jenna's latest prayers and devotions, and be encouraged in the Truth. Writing

Services include website building & graphic design, biblical life coaching and mentoring, custom-made drawings, and original prints for purchase. Jenna's Art Artist Statement "Do you ever know what the birds are singing? You don't, but you listen to them anyways." - Picasso. Artist Collections View my collections of graphite and hand-coloured butterflies and bugs. I work with graphite on ultra-smooth paper, and I hand-color each drawing using a digital stylus and Prismacolor pencils. Butterfly Shop Shop from a variety of butterflies and bugs, and select from grayscale or hand-coloured drawings. Pick your Bug Squad and hang 'em in a quad. There are over two million Bug Squad combos to choose from! Custom Drawings A custom drawing of your pet is a great gift idea for anyone who loves their pets! Check out my Pet Portfolio here, and contact me if you'd like a custom drawing done of your dog, cat, horse, bird, fish, butterfly, bug...

At JennaLovesTheTruth.com, I have one great purpose. I'm here to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God gave me the gift to be an artist and the passion and love to write. I want to share His Word, be a light for others, and glorify Him through the talents He's graciously given me and the desires He's placed in my heart. My life's ultimate purpose is to glorify God and be a blessing to others, and my life's calling is to share the gospel. About Jenna Loves The Truth At JennaLovesTheTruth.com my purpose is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. By God's grace, I built and designed JennaLovesTheTruth.com as a place to speak the truth in love, encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ, and point everyone to Jesus, Lord of heaven and earth and our Savior (John 8:12). The Lord gave me the gift to be an artist and the love to write and play the piano. I want to share the truth and glorify Him through the talents He's given me and the desires He's placed in my heart (Psalm 37:4). Throughout my website, you will see butterflies as a theme. Butterflies represent transformation and new life, as my own life has been transformed since being brought to saving faith in Jesus, by God's grace. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Corinthians 5:17). I want to encourage everyone to open God's Word to come to know the biblical Jesus and not a false jesus of the imagination. Scripture is the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ (2 Tim 3:15-17). From Genesis to Revelation, the entire Bible is God's amazing story of His mercy and saving grace toward sinners in Jesus Christ. The written Word of God tells us about Jesus, the Living Word of God. From the Old Testament through the New Testament, Scripture all points us to Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). Jesus Christ is Lord to all and Savior to all who trust in Him. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for the glory of God alone. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:36 “A true man reveals himself by his words. Therefore it is the Lord Jesus Christ who is called the Word of God. Jesus Christ is God speaking. God thinks what He says, and the thoughts of God are embodied in the person, work, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His dear Son. God could’ve never revealed Himself so fully in any other way than by giving His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). ~ CH Spurgeon Art Writing Music