“What is success? It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace”
ACTS 13:24-52
38“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. 51So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. 52And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
JOURNAL
Justification and forgiveness comes as a gift to anyone who will accept it. It no longer depends on good works, or good standing, or birth-rite. It is simply acceptance of this love, which then means accepting a life devoted to love and forgiveness. This idea is still very much a foreign concept in our world. Good works, good standing and birth-rite still very much are the foundations of identity and "success" in our world.
God's gift though free to accept, does come with the price of surrender. That price means that I give up reliance on my old ways. It means I surrender to a new way of living and loving. It means I no longer rely on the world's approval but rather am content to depend on God's guidance and love.
Acceptance of this love and path of life means that the spirit of God will guide and will comfort no matter the circumstance. Just as Paul and Barnabas were conspired against and were persecuted yet they were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. That is the treasure of God's love. That in every moment of life, I will have the joy of the spirit.
God's gift though free to accept, does come with the price of surrender. That price means that I give up reliance on my old ways. It means I surrender to a new way of living and loving. It means I no longer rely on the world's approval but rather am content to depend on God's guidance and love.
Acceptance of this love and path of life means that the spirit of God will guide and will comfort no matter the circumstance. Just as Paul and Barnabas were conspired against and were persecuted yet they were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. That is the treasure of God's love. That in every moment of life, I will have the joy of the spirit.
PROVERBS 3:5-6
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