Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  Psalm 1:1-2 My Greatest Influence It's been said that you become like the people you surround yourself with the most. Motivational speaker, Jim Rohn coined the phrase for it: "You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with." This means that the perspectives, behavior, and characters of your inner circle will naturally "rub off" on you. That's why it's important to choose your company wisely. Ask yourself, "Who influences me?" and, "Who's my greatest influence?" Bad Company Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; Psalm 1:1 Scripture says blessed  is the man who doesn't walk with the wicked, stand with sinners, or sit with scoffers. This verse illustrates a downward progression of sin. It begins with the openness to being influenced by those who don't believe in Jesus and progresses to becoming good friends with them. As we continue to spend time with them, it ends up with us taking on their ungodly attitudes and behaviors, all the while thinking we could never be influenced by them. But Scripture tells us not to be deceived. Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”  (1 Corinthians 15:33). Can a man scoop a flame into his lap and not have his clothes catch on fire? Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?  Proverbs 6:27:28 As Christians, we’re chosen and called to be set apart and lead a righteous life through faith in Jesus. That means we are to resist the influence of godless perspectives, attitudes, and behaviors. Even though there’s often the temptation to be liked and accepted, Scripture says that Jesus followers aren't to align ourselves or become close friends with those who clearly reject God's commands and standards of righteousness. Therefore do not become partners with them [the sons of disobedience]; For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! (Ephesians 5:7-8). Do Not Be Bound Together Now, this doesn't mean Christians are never to talk with, visit with, or associate with unbelievers. Rather, we are called to be a positive influence on them for Jesus. Jesus welcomed sinners and ate with the tax collectors for the very purpose of telling and showing them the way, the truth, and the life (Him). So to be clear, believers are not to isolate ourselves from the world and have no contact with unbelievers. We're in this world for that very purpose to share the gospel and tell others about Jesus, as we display our faith through our good fruits to them. Like Jesus, we’re meant to engage with unbelievers so they may come to know Jesus and find eternal life too, by His grace. On the other end of the spectrum, Scripture commands us not to be bound together with unbelievers. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what do righteousness and lawlessness share together, or what does light have in common with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?  (2 Corinthians 6:14) This means we aren't supposed to enter into marriage with, go into ministry together, or become business partners with people who choose not to believe the gospel. We're not supposed to become partners or close friends with those still walking in darkness, since we're walking in the light. Scripture is clear that believers are not to share in any enterprise with unbelievers. How could that ever work out well to be unequally yoked in any type of partnership? The journey toward two different destinations would be painstaking together. We'd never get there. Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?  (Amos 3:3) The Positive Influence but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  Psalm 1:2 Psalm 1:2 talks about what we're meant to be influenced by: the truth of God's Word. Valuable and edifying meditation doesn't require us to empty our minds. The Bible doesn't talk about the idea of self-emptying of our thoughts during meditation. Emptying the mind is a dangerous type of meditation where it gives Satan access to fill an empty head with all sorts of evil thoughts and ideas. Instead, godly meditation means that we fill our minds with the truth found in Scripture.  Meditating on Scripture means reflecting and thinking deeply on what the Bible reveals about who God is; His character, His attributes, His beauty, His glory, His loving-kindness. It means meditating on the gospel; who Jesus is in His humanity and deity; who He is as our Lord and Savior; what Jesus did for us through His perfect life and finished work on the cross; who we are as sinners and our deep need for Jesus; who we are in Christ; and how we ought to walk as Christ followers. Meditating on Scripture means thinking deeply about what God's Word teaches about Jesus, life, ourselves, others, Heaven, and eternal life.  When we meditate on the Scriptures, we treasure the promises, teachings, and beauty found in them, obey the Lord's commands, confront our sins and confess them to the Lord, and align our thoughts with God's thoughts and our will with His.  Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.  Romans 12:2 The one who is "blessed" is not influenced or deceived by the words of an ungodly world but is profoundly influenced and transformed to think and live by the Word of God. Jesus is my Greatest Influence! Dear Heavenly Father, May You help me to be influenced by Jesus today in all that I think, say, and do. May You help me to meditate on Your loving-kindness today, and fill my mind with Your loveliness, righteousness, and beauty. I want to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Lord, give me a zeal for the Truth today! All glory belongs to Jesus! In Jesus name, I pray amen. Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:1-2

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  Romans 1:16 Yes. It's All About Jesus. “In a purposeful display of hatred for Christ and the gospel, Rome publicly severed Paul's head from his body. After his life of self-sacrifice for the cause of the gospel – a life devoted to communicating the greatest message the world has ever heard, in order that men might know joy, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and peace – Paul’s execution is an expression of staggeringly tragic ingratitude. What an unjust reward for such a great man.” – “Unashamed, 2 Timothy 1” by John MacArthur Like the Apostle Paul, Charlie Kirk, lived and died proclaiming the greatest news that will ever pass through anyone’s ears: the saving message of the Gospel. The Gospel: Jesus Christ, fully God and fully man, lived a perfect life, suffered and died on the cross for the sins of the world, and was buried. Three days later, He rose from the dead, triumphing over sin, Satan, and death itself. So now, whosoever believes in Jesus, shall never perish but have the gift of eternal life. What mercy! What grace! What good news! Charlie loved Jesus, and he loved people enough to tell them about Jesus. Like both Jesus and Paul, Charlie was so hated for speaking the Truth that it led to his own tragic death. So sadly, his life was cut short here on this Earth, leaving behind his beautiful wife and children. A family lost a loving and devoted husband and father. A country lost a passionate and humble leader. And the church lost a dear brother in Christ. Charlie will be missed by his family and friends, and we will all miss him too. In his unflinching zeal and fearlessness for the Gospel, both his life and his death glorified God. Charlie was a faithful servant of Jesus until the very end and was greeted into Heaven with those beautiful words we all long to hear, “Well done good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23). Faith comes by hearing the Gospel (Romans 10:17). Charlie was not ashamed of the Gospel because he knew it was the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who hears the spectacular message of Jesus and believes. Charlie boldly pointed everyone to Jesus and the Scriptures, which from Genesis to Revelation, all point to salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in our One and Only Savior, Jesus Christ alone. Let's be like Charlie today. Let's point others to Jesus and the Scriptures that speak of God's love, mercy, and saving grace through Him. Dear Heavenly Father,  We thank You for sending into this world a Christian leader so bold and Spirit-filled as Charlie. Charlie was a light in this dark world and divided country. He continues to encourage us all through his ministry that will continue to thrive. Even though many of us didn’t know Charlie, the Holy Spirit hurts in us all, especially because of the evil and injustice that brought him to his death. Lord, it is so sad. But what does Jesus say to us about the death of a believer? “ Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death ” (John 8:31). “All death can do to the believer is deliver him to Jesus.” – John MacArthur What else do the Scriptures say about the death of a believer? It says that we aren’t to mourn in the same way as unbelievers, who have no hope (1 Thess 4:13). We as believers have real hope! We have the hope of Heaven and an eternity of joy awaiting us all, because our hope is in Jesus alone. As Christians, we will experience suffering, pain, and sadness in this temporary world, but let’s be reminded that our eternity is so very bright. When you know Jesus, truly, the best is always yet to come. Wow. Meditate on that truth today! Lord, help us to suffer well in this short time we all have here. Help us to always speak the truth to one another. Help us to be tender toward each other, love and forgive each other. Give us the grace to be bold about Jesus and the Gospel today and every day. Help us be meek in persecution and when we are ridiculed, excluded, or marginalized for our faith in Jesus. Help us to pray for our enemies that they may repent of their sins and believe in Jesus and be saved too. Lord, may the tragic death of Charlie give us all a zeal for the Truth and light a fire under us, and may we all go out today and proclaim the greatest news this world will ever know: the saving message of the Gospel. Because it’s all about Jesus. Yes, it’s all about Jesus. To Him be the glory forever and ever. It’s all about Jesus. In His name, I pray, Amen. “It’s all about Jesus.” – Charlie Kirk  The Gospel in four words is ‘Jesus took my place.’ In three words, it’s ‘Him for me.’ In two words, it’s ‘Substitutionary atonement.’ In one word, it’s ‘Grace.’ – Charlie Kirk   "Make history today. Share the Gospel." - Living Waters Ministries

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 Corinthians 2:9 What No Eye Has Seen 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 Corinthians 2:9   The verse is often thought to be about the wonders of heaven, but rather, it speaks to God’s hidden wisdom; the wisdom that God has revealed only to those who believe in Jesus. This verse means that God's divine truth cannot be sought or understood through seeing or hearing (objective or empirical proof), nor can it be sought or understood through human logic, emotions, or intellect (subjective or rational deductions). Divine wisdom is the kind of wisdom that can only be found and understood by those who have put their faith in Jesus and been sealed with the Holy Spirit. Scripture says that the wisdom from God is often foolish and even offensive to the unbelieving world. 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. (1 Corinthians 1:18) Scripture says that without the Holy Spirit living in a person through faith in Christ, God's wisdom cannot be discerned. Therefore, His Word cannot be trusted, cherished, or obeyed. But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  (1 Cor 2:14).   Boast in the Lord True wisdom, given by the Holy Spirit, is exclusively granted to those who believe in Jesus for salvation. 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 sought after or earned by our own human efforts, works, reasoning or intellect. These things 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). Every good thing comes from our Heavenly Father! (James 1:17) For those who have received the gifts of repentance, faith, wisdom, and ultimately salvation in Jesus, it is entirely a gift from Above without any opportunity to congratulate ourselves. Salvation is not by works but by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus did all the work for us. He lived a perfect, sinless life in obedience to His Heavenly Father. He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to to the point of death: death on a cross (Phil 2:9). As our perfect substitute and the propitiation of our sins, Jesus suffered for us the wrath and judgment of God against our sins. Jesus loved us so much that He died for us. Charles Spurgeon once said, " “ My entire theology can be condensed into 4 words : ' Jesus died for me .'” – C.H. Spurgeon. That ought to be the sum of every Christian's theology! What grace! Jesus died, was buried, and three days later, He rose from the dead, triumphing over sin, Satan, and death. That's why right before He died, He said, "It is finished." (John 19:30). Jesus did all the work for us. What grace! And the supreme validation that Jesus is God is that He rose from the dead!...with over 500 first-hand witnesses of His resurrection. So as Christians, the only One we can ever really boast in, is in the Lord and His amazing grace.  It's only because of Him that we are in Jesus Christ, who became to us wisdom itself. 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 1:30-31   To Be a Soldier Now, all who come to Jesus in repentant faith, by His grace, are gifted with eternal life. So, all who want to be saved, will be saved. That is a guarantee! My friend, if you want to be saved, you have God's promise that He will save you . Turn away from your sins and turn to Jesus, and He will save you from your sins. He will give you a new heart to follow Him, transform your life from darkness to light, and gift you with the greatest of all graces: eternal life. Jesus turns away no one who comes to Him in childlike faith. The only thing that will keep you from trusting and loving Jesus and going to Heaven is your own self-righteousness and the love of your own sin, whether "little" or flagrant. So my friend, turn from your sins today, and turn afresh to Jesus in faith, who gives to all an abundant life in Him. Now, being a Christian is not easy! Being a Christian is the hardest thing I've ever had to do and be. It's not always easy repenting from my own pride and sins. At the same time, repentance is so sweet because when I turn away from my sins, it's right there that I fall into the arms of Jesus. And what better place to be! To be a Christian is to be a soldier. It's a daily battle to be both a sinner and a saint. But I know I'm not alone in the battle. Jesus, (who won the war for me), is with me. The Holy Spirit gently convicts me, teaches me, and guides me into His truth every day. While turning from sin can be hard at times, Jesus tells me that His yoke is easy and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). His Word does not demand me to do hard or unreasonable things. However, that doesn't mean He doesn't allow difficult trials to enter my life. Suffering and trials are there to prove and strengthen my faith and make me more like Jesus, little by little (Romans 8:28-29)...the main goal of the Christian life. All that being said, to be a Christian is to live a life that is full of courage, joy, peace, passion, and real purpose, in the Lord. The storms of life come to both the unbeliever and believer alike, but only one house stands. It's not the house that's built on sand but the one that's built on rock: on Jesus Christ. He is The Object of my faith. Jesus is The Author and Finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). To be saved and belong to Jesus is simply awesome. So, call on the Lord today, and you too will be saved. All who call on the name of the LORD will be saved  (Romans 10:13). All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away (John 6:37). “Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26  And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27  And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27 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

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 My Father Knows Best For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. - Psalm 30:5 The Lord's anger is but for a moment compared to His favor, which lasts a lifetime. Even when He disciplines His children, whether to correct us in our sin or train us deeper in our faith, He is always patient, kind, and compassionate. The Lord's discipline may bring sorrow to the believer for a little while, but once we are trained by it, sorrow departs, and joy fills the heart. Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning. Sometimes, God uses struggles and difficulties to correct me and guide me away from sin. (Heb 6:7-8). Other times, He allows for trials of various kinds to come into my life so that I may grow in my faith, "training" me to develop a deeper trust, love, and obedience to Jesus (James 1:2-4). This is likened to a relationship between a parent and child, where the dad and mom disciplines their son or daughter to teach them the right way to live. In hindsight (even if it's decades later), the child is able to see the unpleasant discipline for what it really was and loves and respects their Mom and Dad even more for it. (I hated not having cable tv when I was little. I was embarrassed that I was one of the only kids in my class who didn't have it. That was painful haha! But now I am so thankful to my amazing parents. They knew best, and they protected me from all that garbage that I would've definitely snooped into). I love you Mom and Dad. Thank you. I know my Heavenly Father allows all His children to experience trouble in this short life (John 16:33), and I trust that He has a transformative purpose in them. Whatever dark valleys I may go through, I know my Heavenly Father will transform all my hardship and struggles to contribute toward my good (Rom 8:28). I am to accept it as spiritual discipline from a Heavenly Father who loves me. My Father knows best. Three Things Trials & Discipline Do: Proves My Salvation Produces Peace & Righteousness Prepares Me for Eternity Proves My Salvation No one enjoys being disciplined. It's no fun, that’s for sure! Trial periods are challenging times that test my faith and love for Jesus. Adversity often reveals what I truly believe and desire in my heart and brings to light the idols I need to turn from. The apostle Peter states that going through trials serve an important purpose...to prove the genuineness of my faith in Jesus, which he states is far more precious than mere gold. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 8 You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 9 The reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9 The end reward of trusting Jesus through all my trials and spiritual discipline is the salvation of my soul. Now, that's worth it! When my faith has been tested to be proven true, it gives me assurance of my salvation, which is a GINORMOUS blessing in and of itself. To know I am truly saved and belong to the Kingdom of God is a joy unparalleled to anything else! That amazing reality really keeps things in perspective for me and strengthens me in the midst of my trials. The joy of the Lord and my salvation gives me supernatural strength when I'm feeling weak. Produces Peace & Righteousness No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. -  Hebrews 12:11 The Lord's discipline, although is often times highly uncomfortable for a while, resembles an athlete's training. During the exercise, the athlete finds it "painful rather than pleasant." However, later on, the athlete sees his own growth and progress due to those vigorous training sessions. Similarly, my faith in Jesus grows and strengthens as I experience the Lord's discipline, resulting in me producing the " peaceful fruit of righteousness." Spiritual discipline produces peace. When I have been trained to live right by following Jesus, a clear conscience and a peaceful soul is the result. "Earth has no words to convey the holy calm of a soul leaning on Jesus." CH Spurgeon During hard times, my focus tends to be on my uncomfortable circumstances. But through them, God is training me to focus on Jesus instead, and I can trust Him that my suffering is not in vain. God's Word teaches me to accept and submit to discipline as spiritual training (Heb 12:9), trusting that my Father knows best. It's only when the trial has passed that I often recognize how God used it to grow me in my faith and strengthen my relationship with Jesus. With a peaceful heart, I can look back and observe my maturing process, guided by the Lord's unpleasant discipline. I can see more clearly His gentle and loving Hand through it all, and trust and obey Him even more for it. Prepares Me for Eternity Most of us are familiar with the famous Romans 8:28 verse: God works all things together for good for those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 But what we often forget is its context and what is at the heart of this verse, which is “to conform us to the image of His Son” (Rom 8:29). The ultimate goal of every Christian here on earth is to prepare us for eternity by conforming us to the image of Christ. Becoming more like Jesus carries along with it right living and the peace that surpasses all understanding. So, all my trials and all my unpleasant and painful training in the Christian life are simply accomplishing the most important goal of the Christian life: making me more like Jesus, and preparing me for eternity, all so that I may glorify God and enjoy Him forever (the sole reason for my very existence). What I do here on earth, how I spend my time, how I endure suffering, and how I trust, love, and obey Jesus through both the good times and the "bad," will ring in the halls of Heaven forever. Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning, and that shout of joy will be for an eternity! Encouraging Scriptures for You & Me For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us . Romans 8:18 • Let us always remember that those who have put their total trust in Jesus for salvation, will experience only temporary suffering here on Earth (Rom 8:18-25). He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away." Revelation 21:4 • Jesus' sheep are guaranteed that all their earthly sorrow, pain, and tears will eventually come to an end, while eternal joy will be theirs in Christ Jesus forever and ever.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:2-3 And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 • When going through trails, We should look to Jesus as our Prime Example. We are to keep our eyes on Him and not give up. There is an eternity of joy awaiting all those who believe in Jesus. • Jus' keep on keepin’ on ;) Jesus will help you. Wait patiently for Him, trust Him, and He will act (Psalm 37). Our Father knows best.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26 Edward Herbeck • "Twas the Night" • 72" x 30" Acrylic on Canvas • Herbeckart.com Hallelujah! Jesus Loves Me. Jesus loves me. Jesus died for me. Jesus rose from the dead. By grace, I believe in Jesus. Jesus is Lord of Heaven & Earth. Jesus is my Savior. With Jesus, I have nothing to fear. Jesus paid for all my sins on the cross. Jesus gifted me with eternal life. Jesus is my hope, my peace, my joy, my confidence. Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. John 11:25   I love Jesus only because He first loved me. 1 John 4:19 Hallelujah!   Dear Heavenly Father, Father, I praise You for planning my salvation and choosing me before the foundation of the world to be set apart and saved (Eph 1:4-5,11). I praise You for Your magnificent plan of redemption through Your Son, Jesus (Eph 1:9-10). Jesus, I praise You for purchasing my salvation. I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of my trespasses (Eph 1:7). And s ince I have been united with Him in His death, I know I will also be raised to life as He is (Rom 6:5), the First One to be resurrected (1 Cor 15:20). In Jesus, I am blessed with eternal life and every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places (Eph 1:3, 4,7). Holy Spirit, I praise You for protecting my salvation. When I first believed in Jesus, He officially sealed me (Ephesians 1:13). Once God poured His love into my heart through the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5), sanctification began, and the Holy Spirit became the guarantee of my salvation (Eph 1:14). Once saved, always saved. I am eternally secure, and I will never perish. No one can snatch me away from Jesus or my Heavenly Father (John 10:28-30). I am so thankful to have been given the gift to hear Jesus' voice and believe in Him, to follow Jesus and learn from Him, to love Jesus and obey Him, to have peace in Jesus and rejoice in Him, to praise Jesus and worship Him, and to give Jesus all the glory and tell others about Him. What amazing grace! He is risen! I serve The Living Christ, and one day I will live and reign with Jesus forever in His Heavenly kingdom with all who believe in Him too. The best is always yet to come because Jesus loves me, and He loves you too. Hallelujah! Jesus loves me. All glory belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This I pray all in Jesus' name, amen. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10 Difference Between Knowledge & Wisdom The terms knowledge and wisdom are closely related but aren't the same thing. Knowledge  is defined as “information gained through reasoning, experience, or association." In contrast, wisdom  is defined as “the ability to discern or judge what is good, right, and true.” It's possible and also quite common to have knowledge without wisdom, but not vice versa. A person can be highly knowledgeable about something while still lacking much wisdom. Knowledge is knowing how to operate a car; wisdom is understanding when and where to drive it. Knowledge identifies the busy street; wisdom waits patiently until it's clear to cross. It Begins with Knowledge It begins with knowledge. God desires us to know of Him and His expectations of us, so He has graciously given us His Word. To be able to trust, love, and obey God, we must first know what He commands. As believers, we know that God's supreme command in all of Scripture is to repent and trust in Christ alone for our salvation, which is the most important thing we could ever possibly know. We can't obey that command until we know that knowledge even exists. Thankfully, it’s given to us all throughout Scripture and also sent to us through Christians witnessing and preaching the gospel. So faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17) As important as that knowledge is, wisdom is just as important. Wisdom goes beyond just knowing facts about God, the Bible, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Wisdom is a gift from Above, given along with the gift of faith in Jesus. Wisdom is also generously given to us whenever we ask for it (James 1:5). The Lord grants us wisdom so we may glorify Him through applying the knowledge He’s given us. And what a benefit it is to us to walk in His wisdom! Jesus is Wisdom The Book of Proverbs is one of the most well-known books on wisdom. Proverbs 1:7 talks about both knowledge and wisdom: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 9:10 says,   The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. To fear the LORD means to reverence Him, which begins us on the path to knowledge and wisdom. Furthermore, wisdom is personified in Proverbs 1 and described as someone who we can “get to know” (Proverbs 1:20-33). Scripture says that Jesus Christ is “wisdom from God” (1 Corinth 1:30). Wisdom comes from knowing Jesus (The Holy One), as He is described as wisdom itself. Only when we come to know Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior can we begin to have true understanding and good judgment in this life, bringing about eternal life, by grace through faith. It's By His Doing The world’s way of getting wisdom is different from God’s way. The "wise of the world" gain knowledge in order to solve human problems, create human philosophies, and "get ahead" in life through human reasoning, which is all finite and holds no eternal value. But God's wisdom is not like the wisdom of this world. His knowledge and wisdom are infinite and eternal. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, it says the “wisdom of the wise” is frustrated by God, who grants wisdom to the “weak” or to “little children” by way of a relationship with Jesus Christ through faith. That way, “no human being can boast in the presence of God” (Corinth 1:29). We learn to be truly wise by knowing Jesus Christ, and it's all a gift; It’s by His doing.  Scripture says, “ It is by His doing that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Corinth 1:30). Eternal Life is a Gift Knowledge is gained over time through the diligent study of Scripture and meditating on what we gather. Wisdom acts on the knowledge we gain. Wisdom is how we apply that knowledge to our everyday lives, relationships, and circumstances. Knowledge memorizes passages of Scripture; wisdom obeys them. Knowledge learns about who Jesus is and what Jesus did for us; wisdom loves Him, obeys Him, and goes on to tell others about Him. Wisdom wants others to have wisdom. Wisdom delights in telling others the Good News it has read in the Bible about Jesus Christ: Jesus is Lord of all and Savior to all who believe in Him. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live and suffered and died on the cross for our sins. In three days, He rose again from the grave, ultimately triumphing over sin, Satan, and death so that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life, joy, and peace instead. Because Scripture says so, we know we can do nothing to earn or keep our salvation. We know it's only according to His mercy (Titus 3:5-7). We know that Jesus paid our debt in full. We know that He did all the work for us. We know that eternal life is a free gift (Romans 6:23). How could knowing all that not make us want to walk in wisdom? Especially when we have been given the Holy Spirit, who is our Teacher, Helper, and Guide. There is no amount of human wisdom or effort that could ever obtain our salvation, otherwise we'd really have something to boast about! We could say, "Wow, look at how wise I was to choose eternal life by my own intellect and logical reasoning. What smart choices I make!" Or, "Look at how good and righteous I was to earn my way to Heaven." No. As believers, we know that Scripture says, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9. May the knowledge we are given from God's Word not make us conceited but make us wise and loving so that we become more like Jesus. As believers, we know that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, and eternal life is a gift. What amazing knowledge the Lord has given to us so that we may trust, love, and obey Jesus, all to His glory and all by His grace. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, 5  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved Ephesians 2:4-5 He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6  He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7  Because of His grace He made us right in His sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:5-7 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 1:17 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. 1 Corinthians 8:1

I give You thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing Your praise; I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for your steadfast love and Your faithfulness, Psalm 138:1-2 Difference Between Praise and Worship I give You thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart; before the gods I sing Your praise; I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for your steadfast love and Your faithfulness, (Psalm 138:1-2) Psalm 138 is a psalm written by David that’s full of praise and worship. All the psalms are filled with praise and worship. So what's the difference between the two? This is what I learned and like to share with you... Praise Holds Hands with Thankfulness Praise is when we joyfully recount all the wonderful works of God. Praise holds hands with thankfulness. We naturally praise God when our hearts are full of thankfulness toward Him for who He is and what He's done for us. We know that God is love and that He loved the world so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. In three days He rose again from the grave, ultimately triumphing over sin, Satan, and death. Jesus paid our debt in full on the cross, cancelling the record of charges that were against us (Col 2:14). That's why right before Jesus died, He said, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Praise Jesus! Christ alone accomplished salvation for us through His perfect life, death, and resurrection. Eternal life is a free gift. Even repentance and faith don't originate within ourselves. They too are gifts, by God's grace and choosing. We do nothing to earn Heaven. It's by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus alone that we may have eternal life and joy in Him! Now that is something to be thankful for and praise God for! What a gift it is that you and I believe in Jesus. Praise does not ask anything from us. Praise is the simple joyful speaking of God's goodness and lovingkindness from a heart of thanksgiving. Since the Lord has performed endless wonderful works, He is deserving of endless praise. Since the eternal God gave Himself for us, to save us from eternal destruction and grant us eternal life instead, He is deserving of eternal praise. May praise be on our lips for Jesus every day, to the day of eternity. Worship While praise can be an element of worship, worship goes well beyond praise. Praise comes from our hearts and is expressed in our words. Worship comes from a deeper place in our hearts. What or who we worship is expressed in our attitude, behavior, actions, how we treat others, how we spend our time, what we study, watch, and listen to, what fills our minds and conversations; simply how we live our daily lives. While praise can be given both to the Lord and to other people, worship is meant for God alone and no one else (Luke 4:8). Worship is when we forget about self and immerse ourselves in the adoration and glory of another. For the Christian, it's being immersed in Jesus. Worship is about denying self and following Jesus, being His humble servant and giving Him glory. Worship the One True God Praise is simple and easy to give; worship does not always come easy. Praise is on our lips. Worship delves into our inner being. To genuinely worship the One True God, we must first be saved by grace through faith in Jesus. We must fully surrender our lives to Him through faith and repent of worshipping any imaginary god/jesus, self, or idols; things that can so easily take root in our hearts and rule over us. To truly worship the God of Scripture, we must humble ourselves before Him, surrender every aspect of our lives to His loving Lordship, and adore Him for who He is and what He's done for us in Christ Jesus. Jesus said that the Father seeks those who will worship Him "in spirit and in truth" (John 4:25), meaning with our whole hearts and according to sound biblical doctrine. Worship is a way of life. It’s not just a random act every now and then. It's not just emotional sentiments and fuzzy feelings toward God. It's not just when we read our daily devotionals. Worshipping Jesus and giving glory to God should be in everything we do (1 Cor 10:31), from washing that bowl in the sink to sharing the Gospel with a friend. We ought to do everything to the glory of God. After all, that is the main purpose for our entire existence according to Scripture; we are to fear the Lord and obey His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Worship Holds Hands with Submission The Bible often depicts praise as being lively, joyful, and free-spirited, and God welcomes all kinds of praise from His creation. Jesus said that when people don’t praise God, even the "stones will cry out" (Luke 19:40). However, when Scripture talks about worshipping the Lord, it's a different mood than praise. We find verses like, "worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness" (Psalm 29:2), and "Come let us worship and bow down" (Psalm 95:6). Worship is often associated with acts of bowing, kneeling, and holding up our hands to Him. These outward acts (only from a heart of true faith) express our inward humility, contrition, and repentance (2 Chr 29:28; Heb 11:21; Rev 19:10). Through true worship, the Holy Spirit speaks to us, gently convicts us of our sins, and encourages us in our walk with Jesus. We grow spiritually when we worship Him. Worship helps us keep our priorities in line with Jesus’ and fix our eyes on Him as the Savior of our soul and the Lord of our life. As praise holds hands with thankfulness, worship holds hands with submission. It's impossible to worship both God and something else (Luke 4:8), both God and money (Mat 6:24), or both God and self. We can only fully worship Jesus when we have fully surrendered our lives to Him through faith; when we worship Him in spirit and in truth. True worship comes from the heart, and the Lord knows your heart. He knows who is really worshipping Him. He knows who His children are. And as His children, we know who our Father is and what He requires of us: a life fully surrendered to Him in true worship, all by His grace. May we give the Lord endless praise! All glory belongs to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. He said to them, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. Mark 8:34-35 Jesus answered, “It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only. Luke 4:8 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3 God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 The conclusion, when everything has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. Ecclesiastes 12:13

and under His wings you will find refuge; Psalm 91:4 How precious is Your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They feast on the abundance of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your delights. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light.  Psalm 36:7-9 Under His Wings The idea of taking someone “under your wing” is a common phrase we use today. When a person is by himself, learning something new, or needing guidance, an older or more experienced person might offer to take him “under his wing.” In Scripture,  under His wings  or  in the shadow of His wings  serves as a metaphor for the refuge found in God’s presence; the believer's safe haven where he's led, taught, and safeguarded by the Lord. According to Psalm 36:7-9, the one who has found refuge in the shadow of God's wings is also the one who feasts on the abundance of His house and drinks from the river of His delights. The Lord is the fountain of life to all who take refuge in Him because of His precious steadfast love. It’s in His light that we do see light; as believers, we recognize Jesus for who He truly is: God in human flesh and our Lord and Savior. Only the Believer The one who takes refuge in God is the one who is bles s ed (Psalm 34:8). This describes the believer. By grace through faith in Jesus, the believer's sins have been totally forgiven through Jesus' redeeming sacrifice on the cross. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity  (Psalm 32:1-2). Only the believer is able to see the light of the Gospel, take refuge in Jesus, and feast on the abundance of His house. Only the believer in Jesus can declare of the Lord,  “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust”  (Psalm 91:2). The psalmist goes on to say: “Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday  (Psalm 91:3–4). Only the believer can have a thousand fall at his side, ten thousand at his right hand, and it not come near him...because he has made the LORD his dwelling place, the Most High, who is his refuge (Psalm 91:7-9) Only the believer will forever dwell under His wings. Only the believer will escape death and the snare of the devil (Heb 2:14; 2 Tim 2:24), and by the blood of Jesus, only the believer is given access to enter the holy places (Heb 10:19–22). Because of Jesus' perfect life, death on the cross, and resurrection, the believer can now confidently approach God's throne of grace (Heb 4:16) at any time. Jesus Christ shed His blood for us on the cross, which opened a whole new and living way (Heb 10:20). All we have to do is believe in Him, by His grace. Since the time of people wandering in the wilderness, God's people have always sought refuge under His wings. Whenever the Israelites needed the Lord's help, they prayed,  “Hide me under the shadow of your wings”  (Psalm 17:8). Now, as believers we can pray to the Lord and seek refuge in Jesus. We can know that Jesus will always help us, especially when we ask Him for help. Have No Fear By grace through faith in Jesus, He has taken you under His wings. Jesus will give you wisdom, guide you, and protect you. As the believer, Jesus is always with you, right beside you, above you, and He lives inside you. Jesus’ presence and loving care will never leave you. You will forever dwell under His wings in the secure place of His precious, steadfast love. So, to the believer: 365 times, the Lord says to have no fear. Jesus has taken you under His wings, and He'll never let you go (John 10:28). All glory belongs to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5   My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. John 10:27-28 Psalm 91 is one of my favorite psalms.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?”“Or who has given a gift to Him that he might be repaid?” For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36 Lord, Your Ways are Mysterious "God never condescends to make things very plain to His creatures. He always does what is right and just; and therefore, He wants His people always to believe by faith that He only does what is right and just. But if He showed them that He did so, there would be no room for their faith. Turn your eye along the page of history, and see how mysterious God’s dealings have been. Who would conceive that Joseph sold into Egypt would be the means of redeeming a whole people from famine? Who would suppose that when an enemy would invade the land, it would be the means of bringing glory to God? Who could imagine that a harlot’s blood should mingle with the genealogy from which came the great Messiah, the King of Israel? Who could have guessed much less could have understood the mighty plan of God? Providence has always been a hidden thing. 'Deep in unfathomable mines, of never failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, And works his sovereign will.' - Lyrics by William Cowper And yet, beloved, you and I always want to know what God is doing. There is a great war taking place somewhere on the earth. We have experienced some great disasters, and we are reading the accounts in the news and saying, “What is God doing there?” What did He do in the last war? What was the benefit of it? We see that even Napoleon was the means of doing good, for he broke down the aristocracy and made all subsequent monarchs respect the power, and the rights of the people. We see what the result was even of that dreaded hurricane, that it swept away a pestilence which would have devoured many more than the storm did. But we ask, “What is God doing with this world?” We want to know what will be the consequences. Suppose we should humble Russia, where would it end? Can Turkey be maintained as a separate kingdom? And ten thousand other questions arise. Beloved, I always think of what the prophet Isaiah tells us in 45:9, that mankind is nothing but clay pots—and as a good old friend of mine says—let them crack themselves, too, if they like. We will not interfere. If the clay pots want to smash one another, well, then they must. We pray that our country may come off the safest of them all. But we are not much concerned to know the result. We believe that war, as well as everything else, will have a beneficial tendency. We cannot see in history that this world ever went a step backwards. God is ever moving it in its orbit; and it has always progressed even when it seemed to be moving backward." - Charles H Spurgeon Excerpt from "Do Not Fear Disasters" by Charles H Spurgeon Dear Heavenly Father, I praise You for the depth of Your riches and wisdom and knowledge. I praise You for Your unsearchable judgments and inscrutable ways. I praise You for Your sovereign plan, even when it is difficult to accept or understand. All things are from You, through You, and to You. You are to be praised at all times for who You are. You are good, kind, patient, and rich in mercy, and Your plan is always a good plan. All the glory belongs to You forever. Lord, You Are in Complete Control There isn't a single disobedient molecule in the universe. Lord, You are in complete control over everything, including the uncontrollable wildfires in California. Lord, if it is Your will, I ask for You to have mercy on everyone. I ask that You calm the winds and send a heavy rain to extinguish all the fires. Please, Lord, send Your help quickly! Yet, not my will, but Your will be done, and may Your good purposes prevail. Lord, even amidst all this horror and destruction, You remain entirely in control and are perfectly just, good, and merciful...with Your plan always being a good plan. I praise You for Your sovereignty and for Your mysterious ways. Lord, You are Our Savior Lord, may these devastating fires serve as a great reminder that the only unshakeable foundation is Jesus Christ. While this world and everything in it is like sinking sand, Jesus is The Cornerstone, our Rock, our Refuge, our Ever-Present Help in trouble (Psalm 46:1), our Savior. May these fires remind us all, both rich and poor, that everything we own can be lost in an instant. That's why we all need Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, paying our debt in full, and in three days, He rose from the grave, ultimately triumphing over sin, Satan, and death. Jesus lives and reigns forever. He is eternal. He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5), and He never changes (Heb 13:8). May our hope not be in this world but in the one to come. May we have the hope of Heaven, where Christ is seated. Lord, I pray for the Gospel to Be Heard What Satan meant for evil, You mean for good (Gen 50:20). May these horrible fires be a catalyst for the gospel and that many come to a saving faith, in California and across our nation. Father, for those in California who have not yet put their faith in Jesus, I ask that You send my brothers and sisters to share the Gospel with them. And I ask that You protect, strengthen, comfort, and provide for them in doing so. I ask that You prepare people's broken hearts to receive the Good News of the Gospel and respond in faith. May the loss of their earthly possessions transform into the true hope of eternal riches—riches in Christ that could never be consumed by flames, looted, or stolen. Lord, I pray for You to Have Mercy Lord, I pray for You to have mercy on the people in California. I pray for all those experiencing immense loss, grief, and devastation to their homes, neighborhoods, businesses, and towns. I pray for the safety of all the brave firefighters, first responders, and all the people of California.  If it is Your will, I pray for there to be an end in sight and for final relief to come very soon. Finally, because of these wildfires, I pray that You find Your lost sheep and lose none of them. (John 6:39) Lord Jesus, this is Your will; that all that the Father gives to You will come to You, and everyone who comes to You, You will not drive away (see John 6:37-40 below). You will gather up every one of Your sheep into Your loving arms and keep them forever, by Your saving grace. I pray for Your will to be done. All glory belongs to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. In Jesus' name, I pray Amen. "The Gospel breaks hard hearts and heals broken hearts" Charles H Spurgeon The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:15-18 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.   For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.   And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.   For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:37-40 Mercy triumphs over judgment  (James 1:19).

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 Timothy 2:1 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control . 2 Timothy 1:7 True Confidence Confidence is a big topic these days. The world tells says to be confident, believe in yourself, and live boldly. Our society puts great emphasis on self-confidence and "thinking positive thoughts" about oneself. Does the Bible align with this "positive thinking" approach about self? If the Bible advocates for confidence, what or Who should we place our confidence in? For starters, the Bible tells us not to put our confidence in certain things. Scripture says, Have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). Paul wrote this to challenge those who believed they were acceptable to God due to their background, education, or religious zeal. God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34), and our backgrounds and lineages hold little significance to Him. Next, Scripture says that a righteous person avoids evil, while a fool is reckless in his self-confidence (Proverbs 14:16). Essentially, believing that sin carries no consequences is an arrogant and foolish type of confidence. If we are to be confident in anything, Psalm 118:8, 9 tells us where it should be: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.  Those who put their confidence in the government, other people, or themselves will ultimately be disappointed. On the other hand, those who put their confidence in the Lord will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11). Psalm 16 is a great example of confidence in God. David doesn't take any credit for his own righteousness, (v 2) talents, or abilities. Instead, he attributes every good thing to the Lord (v 6), and all his hopes are grounded in God's goodness and unchanging nature (v 1). Since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), David can always walk with true confidence because his soul is eternally secure in the Lord (v 8-9), regardless of the many challenges he faces in life. He Works All Things Together... True confidence does not come from our own intelligence or abilities, nor does it come from our earthly status, finances, appearance, background, or achievements. These things are all gifts. They are given in certain measures, to certain people, at certain times, by God’s grace and for His glory, purposes, and for our benefit. Ultimately, true confidence comes from having a right relationship with God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. When we first come to believe in Jesus, our lives take on a whole new sense of purpose, stability, focus, and confidence. Through faith, we surrender our lives to God in loving obedience, and our confidence now flows from Jesus being our Savior. Humility is key to experiencing true confidence. The biggest enemy of true confidence is pride and the focus of self. Humbly trusting the Lord dispels all pride, the fear of man, and self-doubt, defined here as  the state of uncertainty about the truth of anything . With pride being the root, all these sins become intertwined and feed off each other in a vicious cycle. When I am humble and trust in Jesus with childlike faith, I can confidently obey Him wherever He leads me. I can be confident in what He thinks of me rather than care about the opinions of others. I can be confident in knowing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life because the Bible tells me so(John 14:6). Finally, I can be confident that Jesus knows what is best for me. He knows exactly what I need, when I need it, and in the right measure for me. I can be confident in all things because Scripture says,  God works all things together for good for those who love Him, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,   (Romans 8:28-29). God works the good, the bad, and the ugly all together for my good. I can be confident that no matter what trials I face, rest assured, the Lord is conforming me into the image of Christ, the main goal and sum of the Christian life. As a believer, I can confidently depend on God's word, wisdom, and power. I can confidently trust His plan, even when it’s painful or I don't understand it. According to Scripture, nothing that the Lord allows to happen to me is truly bad since He works all things together for my good. That truth ought to give me great confidence in every trial that comes my way. He Who Began a Good Work in Me... Having a clear conscience also boosts my confidence, leaving me with nothing to hide or fear. I can live boldly when I turn away from sin and look to Jesus.  The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are as bold as a lion  (Proverbs 28:1). True confidence comes from loving and obeying my Lord Jesus, in which He often blesses me in my obedience and also gives me assurance of my salvation (1 John 2:3). What greater confidence is there than to know I am eternally secure in Jesus? Knowing I get to live forever should give me immense confidence in everything in life!!! Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ  (Philippians 1:6). The Bible says that the Lord will complete in me the good work He began. Unlike myself, God always finishes what He starts. The Lord will work His divine grace in my heart to continue conforming me to the image of Jesus, and one day He will call me Home, where I will finally be like Jesus because I will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). To know the Holy Spirit is working in my heart every day ought to give me lots of confidence in everything I do! I have the Best Helper ever! Jesus is my Savior I can be confident in my Heavenly Father’s promises to me. I can be confident in His provision, protection, and plan, namely that He loved me and chose me before the foundation of the world to be saved and set apart (See Ephesians 1:3-14). In His glorious plan of redemption, the Father sent His Son Jesus into the world to save me from my sins and gift me with eternal life, by grace through faith. I can be confident in Jesus’ perfect life and finished work on the cross through His death and resurrection. I can be confident that Jesus is my Savior. I can be confident that Jesus paid my debt for me. I can be confident that all my sins are forgiven, and I am clothed in Jesus' perfect robe of righteousness. I can be confident that eternal life is a free gift, and Jesus gave it to me. Furthermore, I can be confident knowing that Jesus never changes. He will always be with me (Matthew 28:20). He will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). He will never cast me out (John 6:37). And no one can snatch me out of His hand (John 10:28). Now that kind of confidence ought to flow from everything I do in life! True confidence comes from knowing that Jesus is my Savior. I shouldn’t ever put my confidence in myself or in the abilities God has gifted me with. Rather, I will have true confidence in Jesus, who created me, died for me, called me, saved me, keeps me, helps me, knows what's best for me, and one day will call me Home to live and reign with Him forever in perfect joy, peace, and love. True Confidence My confidence is not in myself. My confidence is this: I am saved by grace. I am in Christ. All my sins are forgiven. I have eternal life. I am confident because Jesus is changing me to become more like Him every single day. I belong not just anywhere; I belong to Jesus who is my Creator & Lord of Heaven and Earth. I am confident because Jesus is my Savior. Jesus loves me. My confidence is in Him. All glory belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure (confident!) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,   nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (emphasis added) God is within her, she will not be shaken; God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46:5