Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Galatians 2:20-21 NIV —  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

This week I am sharing thoughts about Paul from the Bible. Today’s featured scripture, spoken by Paul, is one that perplexed me for years. I wondered what he meant about being crucified with Christ. How was I to live out being crucified for Christ? 

After studying this scripture in the context it was written, I realized Paul was writing to explain why the Jews of the time no longer needed to be held accountable to the law of the Old Testament because Jesus died to make God accessible to each of us. Being “crucified with Christ” is truly surrendering to God’s will and not insisting on my own will. What area of your life do you need to surrender to God? How will you live by faith?

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, I encourage you to visit our Steps To Peace page to learn how you can trust God with your life. If you would like more information or support, please email us at waterwalkers29@gmail.com.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Acts 13:46 NIV —Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 14:3 NIV — So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

This week I am sharing thoughts about Paul from the Bible. It’s at this point that Saul begins going by the Gentile (non-Jewish) version of his name — Paul. He does this so that he will be more relatable and to ensure that his name doesn’t become a stumbling block. After all, Saul was known as a prosecutor of believers. 

I selected today’s featured scriptures because of the manner in which Paul and Barnabas spoke to the Gentiles. They spoke boldly. To speak boldly is to speak in a confident and courageous way; showing a willingness to take risks. 

I am amazed and inspired by Paul’s courage to speak boldly about Christ after so boldly being a prosecutor of Christ followers. I wonder if he was afraid that others would deem him unworthy? Would he be perceived as untrustworthy? However, today’s scripture confirms that he spoke boldly about Christ and by doing so he furthered the spread of the church. He is a true example of the fruit of the spirit. Paul inspires me to strive for boldness in my Christian walk. How can you be bold for Christ today?

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, I encourage you to visit our Steps To Peace page to learn how you can trust God with your life. If you would like more information or support, please email us at waterwalkers29@gmail.com.

Let’s pray. Dear God, give me courage to speak boldly and take risks for You. As scripture says in Psalms 19, may the words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be pleasing to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Acts 9:1-31 NIV

This week I am sharing thoughts about Paul from the Bible. Please take a moment to read today’s featured scripture.

Did you read it? Did you see how God turned around Saul’s (Paul’s) story and flipped his script? Saul was anti-Christianity. Saul was arresting and persecuting followers of The Way — believers of Christ. While on the road to Damascus, God truly stopped him in his tracks and confronted him. After being blinded and healed, Saul (Paul) became a vocal and active part of the spread of Christ’s church. 

No matter how far we believe we or our loved ones have fallen, God’s redemption is possible. Tara Leigh Cobble wrote in the Bible Recap page 665 — Saul’s story is evidence that when God wants someone, they’re His…God has the final word. Saul wasn’t pursuing God; he was actively rebelling against Him. But still, he was captured by the God of the universe and caught up in the greatest redemption story the human heart has ever known.

Guess what! God will go to the same great lengths for you and me. In fact He has already moved heaven and earth by sending His son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Jesus died so we can have eternal life. He died so that we can have a relationship with our loving Heavenly Father. For that, I am eternally thankful. How are you expressing your thankfulness to God today?

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, I encourage you to visit our Steps To Peace page to learn how you can trust God with your life. If you would like moreinformation or support, please email us at waterwalkers29@gmail.com.

Pray with me. Dear God, thank You for redeeming me. Thank You for sending Your son Jesus, Christ to die for my sins and provide a way for me to have eternal life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Acts 7 NIV

This week I am sharing thoughts about Paul from the Bible. Please take a moment to read today’s featured scripture. While it is not our usual type of featured scripture, it contains the first time we learn of Saul, later called Paul. This scripture recounts the story of the disciple Stephen being stoned to death. Acts 8:1 NIV states — And Saul approved of their killing him.

I know you are thinking, What a strange way to begin today’s thoughts! However, I am laying the groundwork for what will become one of the greatest stories of redemption. I want you to see, feel, understand, how against Christianity Saul was, so you can fully understand how far God will go for you and me. More than anything, God wants a relationship with each of us. God will go to elaborate lengths to show us His love. No matter how far away from God we are, He is always ready to receive us with open arms. We just have to take the first step and walk on water. 

If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, I encourage you to visit our Steps To Peace page to learn how you can trust God with your life. If you would like more information or support, please email us at waterwalkers29@gmail.com.

Let’s pray. Thank you God for redeeming me and helping me to walk on water as a believer of Christ. May all that I say and do reflect Your love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. 

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard.

Genesis 50:20 NIV — You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

This week I am sharing thoughts about Paul from the Bible. How familiar are you with Paul? Over the years, I have heard many Bible stories about Paul, but our recent participation in The Bible Recap has inspired me to have a new admiration for Paul. 

My prayer for you is that through your reading this week, you too will draw inspiration from Paul and perhaps you will gain new insights on the scripture featured today. Today’s scripture was actually spoken by Joseph. He said these words to his brothers when they asked him to forgive them for selling him into slavery. Joseph’s life is a beautiful redemption story that you should read if you are not familiar with it. His story begins in Genesis 37 NIV and continues through the end of Genesis 50. I encourage you to take some time today to read Joseph’s redemption story before we jump into learning more about Paul.

What areas of your life need to be redeemed? If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your savior, I encourage you to visit our Steps To Peace page to learn how you can trust God with your life. If you would like further information or support, please email us at waterwalkers29@gmail.com.

Pray with me. Heavenly Father, thank You for redeeming me. May I always trust that You can bring good from all situations. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

@biblegateway @youversion

Today’s thoughts by Deborah Ard

This week I am sharing thoughts about Paul from the Bible. Below are the scripture verses for the week. Take a moment to meditate.

Genesis 50:20 NIV — You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Acts 7 NIV

Acts 9:1-31 NIV

Acts 13:46 NIV —Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.

Acts 14:3 NIV — So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

Galatians 2:20-21 NIV —  I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

@biblegateway @youversion

Paul is our topic for this week. Spend some time listening to What An Awesome God by Phil Wickham and prayerfully consider how you can be bold for Christ this week. 

@biblegateway @youversion