Author: mercyfortheday

The Light of the World

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I had just gotten into bed and turned off the light. Then I heard the doorbell camera chime. It chimes a lot when it’s windy outside, so I assumed it was just the wind. But then it chimed again, so I picked up my phone and opened the app. And I saw the beam of headlights heading straight toward the garage door. Someone was in the driveway. When I saw the vehicle, I knew immediately who it was. It was the neighbor plowing our driveway after ten o’clock on a snowy Saturday night. I nudged my husband, and he saw what I saw. A good neighbor, indeed.

This man who plowed our driveway is a good and thoughtful man. He’s been overly generous sharing the excess of what he has with us. He’s not typically one I would associate with, because our style of living is very different. He’s a little rough around the edges. I would say he’s not refined, but then I’m not sure I am either. We just have different priorities in life, and that’s ok. He’s good people.

He offered his lawn equipment and air conditioners to us to use free of charge. He freely gave of the excess of firewood to us and our friend. He’s taught his young adult son to be as thoughtful and giving as he is. He also works to make this small community of ours better and safer.

This man is no different from anyone else. He has his own set of faults and flaws. I’m sure if I spoke to his family, they might hint at some of his failings if the conversation went on long enough. I don’t need to know those things about him. I want to know him as a good neighbor.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

This man whose lights were beaming onto my garage door is a good man, but that won’t save him. He can perform acts of goodwill and kindness every day like it’s his job, but on judgment day that won’t be what God is looking for. God says that all mankind must seek forgiveness and repent of their sins. Jesus is the light of the world, for all of us walk in darkness. When we receive his forgiveness, we have received the light of the world into our lives.

For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Ephesians 5:8-9

Jesus is the fountain of life. The thing is. We can’t just look at the light, like I did from my doorbell camera. We must follow the light of the world. Wherever he leads, we must follow. We must walk in the light, for it is not only a light for our eyes. It is a light for our feet. Jesus says that if we follow him, we won’t walk in darkness, but we will have the light of life.

When we walk in spiritual darkness, we can’t see the path ahead. We make wrong decisions. We act on selfish impulses. We take risks that can cause life-altering changes. We stumble around not seeing the trouble that could be right in front of us . And we say that we love our life.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. John 3:19-21

When Jesus said that he was the light of the world, he had just forgiven a woman caught in the act of adultery. That act would have typically sentenced the person to death by stoning. Her accusers stood nearby pointing the finger of shame and accusation at her, ready to throw stones. After Jesus heard their accusations, he bent down and wrote in the dust. Then he spoke a profound sentence that stunned every one of her accusers. He told this group of important men that the person in their group who had never sinned could throw the first stone of death at her. And guess what happened. When Jesus stood up to face them, the woman stood alone. All of her accusers had silently walked away. They too were guilty of sin. Perhaps not sins that required them to be publicly rebuked and stoned to death, but their sins may have been even greater than hers. And they knew it. Their silent walk of shame spoke more words than their loud accusations of adultery.

Yet Jesus did not require them to repent. He allowed them to walk away unchanged with hardened hearts. He knew and they knew they were guilty and needed to confess their sinful ways. They had the option to repent and turn to faith in the One who knelt drawing in the sand before them. And they did not.

But this woman caught in an adulterous act was not condemned by Jesus. He knew her sin, yet he told her to go and sin no more. He offered her a word of hope because he knew she would be shamed by her community. He knew she needed hope because her sin would perhaps cause her lifelong harmful consequences. She needed forgiveness and hope, which Jesus freely offered. And she walked away forgiven.

Read the story of the adulterous woman at John 8:1-11.

God does not push us to seek him. He waits for us. He’s everlastingly patient with each of us. But the light of the world continues to shine for all of us to see. And in our moments of despair, when all seems lost, the light of the world is waiting for us to reach out to him and repent. He will accept with open arms anyone who calls on his name. But we have to know that faith in God and salvation are always optional. It’s a risk we take when we choose to walk our own path in the darkness. We may believe that our walk in the darkness is a great life, but little do we know the joy and peace we’re missing without the light. Only the light of the world can save us.

But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone. ~Oswald Chambers

We have a choice today and every day. We can choose to walk in darkness, or we can choose hope and forgiveness and the light of the world. If you are still walking in darkness, open your heart today and seek forgiveness of your sins and repent. Your faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior will lead you into his light.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. Isaiah 9:2

Mouse in the House

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

We have a mouse problem in our house. Yes, we’ve seen mice. It seems they like to taunt us, running to and fro throughout the living room as we sit and watch. We hear them feasting on the poison bait that we’ve set out for them. If we’re lucky, we’ll find the dead bodies the next morning. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. I’m thankful that we haven’t noticed any bad odors, but I wonder where they go to die if not on my living room floor.

But now I’m hoping we’ve turned a corner for the good. I don’t want to be braggadocious, but we may have found a solution to keep our house rodent free. We’ve discovered a product that is supposed to repel all rodents with a high frequency sound that isn’t heard by humans. The first night these night lights were plugged in, we heard a bit of mouse noise but didn’t see any mice. I want to say that so far it seems to be working. We’re hoping to keep the winning streak going.

The problem with the mice is that we don’t know how they’re getting into the house. We’ve seen evidence of them in the kitchen, and we’ve seen them dead and alive in the living room. Oh. We had the same problem last year and never figured it out. But this year, we’ve already seen more mice in one month than we did all last winter. That’s a problem in my book. We did plug one hole in the kitchen with steel wool, so hopefully that problem is solved. But we have no idea how they are getting into the living room.

I walked into one room the other day, and I thought I noticed a bad odor. It smelled like a rotting carcass. It’s rather faint and intermittent, so I’m not sure if it’s real or imagined. If it’s real, then the evidence is hidden and I’ll have to find it. I’m not looking forward to that. I’ve started an investigation, but I haven’t found anything. I’m afraid to do a thorough search, because this is one time I don’t really want to find what I’m looking for.

I can’t say that our house is free of mice. It may take some time and some waiting. We’ll have to watch and look for evidence. Or maybe we’ll hear a mouse but not see one. It’s a bit of a wait and see time for us right now. Time will tell if these new magical night lights work long term.

Then just yesterday morning, as I was walking to the kitchen I saw it. A dead mouse near the front door. At least it was dead. That’s what I tell myself. When we installed the repellant night lights, I knew we might need to get a few more to thoroughly block the mice. Now I know where I need to place a few more. I’m glad they found the new treasure trove of poison traps in the laundry room that did the work. But my goal is complete eradication of these pests. I don’t want them lurking anywhere in my house.

I also noticed a couple of days ago that the poison trap I had set out near the front door last year was empty. It wasn’t touched last year, but I guess the mice are hungry this year. I need to replenish my supply of bait.

Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:14

When we repent of our sins and surrender our lives to Christ, we are free from sin. The burden of carrying the weight of unforgiven sins has left us. We are free. But here’s the thing. We can’t keep on sinning. We must turn our back on any sins that had a stranglehold on us and walk away from that life. Otherwise, we’re like the mice that keep returning. We don’t need to return to our old way of life, because we live by another standard. We live by biblical standards and beliefs once we’ve rejected sin. We can’t just dodge sin. We must reject all acts of sin in our lives.

As new believers, we need to put barriers in our life to keep us from veering back to sin. We’re living a different life now. In this new forgiven life, we’re now living under the crucifixion of Christ.

As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. Galatians 6:14

Just as I’m unsure yet if I’m smelling a rotting mouse carcass, sin can sneak in and entice us when we least expect it. The thing about sin is that we can’t wait to sniff it out. We must remove it immediately before it takes hold in our lives. Oh. We’ll notice the odor all right, because it doesn’t come off as a fine fragrance. It’s rotten to the core. And now that I know the mice have found a new path of travel in my house, I need to button down that area with more nightlights to ward them off. The same goes for my spiritual life. I need to equip myself every day with the full armor of God. Otherwise, a temptation to sin could catch me off guard.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:10-17

Most of us are not consistent spiritually because we are more concerned about being consistent externally. ~Oswald Chambers

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace. Romans 6:12-14

Poor Customer Service

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I had an experience in the past couple of weeks where I felt my husband and I received poor customer service. And honestly. It was no fault of ours. The salesperson was new to her job, but she had been doing similar work for years. That means she should have been well informed about the information we were discussing. The only part of her job that was new and unfamiliar was the company she now worked for. And her surroundings were different. I’m sure the commute to work was different. But the work was the same.

However. When this individual realized the product we were looking for was not her preferred product, she got all flustered. In her previous employment, she was responsible for selling her preferred product, which is similar but not identical to what we wanted. And she voiced her frustrations to us. She said she didn’t want to work with the product we were looking for. It was too hard. And then she entered my date of birth incorrectly into the website. When the error was discovered, it was too late to update it. She would need to make a call to another company the next day to make the change. Because it was the end of the workday and she had another client waiting, she didn’t have time to even begin work on my husband’s information. She said she would call us the next day to complete the work.

She didn’t call the next day. And then it was the weekend. She didn’t call on Monday, so I left a voicemail for her. No call on Tuesday, so I sent her an email. You see. We’re on a strict deadline, and we don’t want to wait until the last possible minute to complete this enrollment. Time is ticking by. She finally called us back eight days after our initial meeting. Oh. She apologized profusely. And then she started working on my husband’s information.

All was going well until she hit the enter button to complete his enrollment. She received an error message and didn’t know how to correct what shouldn’t have been an error. Honestly. This time, the mistake wasn’t her fault. Nor was it ours. But it was too late in the day on a Friday to call someone somewhere else to correct the problem. So once again, we’re waiting. And time is still ticking by.

Oh. There is much more to the story that I could share. There were several more missteps on her part that I just won’t go into. I just won’t. I don’t want to nitpick over words and incomplete training or frustrations, but it was frustrating. To say the least. To say that she was ill prepared for our appointment and seemed to have little regard for details is an understatement. On my end, I had thought of contacting her manager to discuss the situation. But I kept stalling. Now I’m glad I did, because when she finally returned my call and was able to finalize my situation she was very pleasant. But does that make all the other words and attitudes on her end null and void?

It isn’t my goal in life to cause someone to get in trouble at work, but I did see several opportunities for improvement at that workplace. I guess I’ll not share those thoughts at this time. I really don’t want to be seen as a troublemaker. But I do expect a salesperson to be ready to sell all the products their company offers. Isn’t the customer always right? I recall that motto being thrown around a lot in the past.

As I’m writing this, I just hung up the phone with this particular salesperson who thought she had fixed the remaining problem. And the problem was fixed. But when we received the information for one final review, there were two huge outstanding errors. We were told it was the other company, not our salesperson, who had entered the information incorrectly. After all the hassles we’ve been through with this person, we didn’t really believe her. It just didn’t ring true. But we could be wrong. And we’re still waiting for resolution.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you. Matthew 7:12

I have to ask myself. What do I expect of myself in that situation? How should I respond when I’m on the receiving end of someone else’s bad day or incompetence? Do I exhibit the love of Christ? Or do I stir up even more anxious thoughts and feelings in them by calling out their mistakes? When is it appropriate to share my concerns with their manager, and when should I be silent about such matters? I need to make sure my attitude reflects the attitude of Christ at all times.

How should a Christian respond when they’re on the receiving end of poor service?

First of all, I’m not sure the salesperson had a full understanding of what to say and what not to say to her clients. She didn’t filter her words, which could have gotten really ugly if we had gone down that path. As Christians, we don’t have to start the fight. We need to know when it is appropriate to confront the misbehavior and ill spoken words and when not to. Basically, we need to choose our battles. That doesn’t mean we should never speak up about any mistreatment.

Being the recipients of inexcusable behavior allows people of faith to show the love of God. We can display godly actions and words while presenting the truth. Oh. It may not be easy in the heat of the moment, but we can exhibit kindness and speak correction all in the same breath. We have to stop and ask ourselves if we really care about the person who’s been poorly trained or having a bad day. If we were in their shoes, would we act any differently than they are? And we have to remember that they too were made in the image of God and are loved by him just as we are. But God is a God of justice, not just of love.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20

And another thing. We shouldn’t keep score. Oh. We may have to recite all the wrongs committed against us when we report inappropriate behavior, but we can’t hold a grudge or try to even the score. We always have the option not to do business with that individual or company again and part ways amicably.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

But our story isn’t over, and the problem still isn’t solved. We’re still waiting to hear back from her, but she’ll be on vacation during Thanksgiving week. I just have to roll my eyes and sigh at this point.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23

Pickleball Drills

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I signed up to take another pickleball class. Call me crazy. This class was for intermediate players. Some people in the class had taken it multiple times, which tells me that they’re serious about their pickleball. I enjoy playing as a hobby, but I don’t see it overtaking my life. It’s a fun way to stay active. But some people I’ve met take this game way too seriously. And now I’m in a class with them. Talk about intimidating. Fortunately, the instructor assigns a group of four or five people to each court. Then we stay with our same group that day. So I haven’t had to play against the “good” players. Oh. Some of the ones I played against were good and had a bent toward being serious about their game. Then there were people like me. We’re just there to learn more, improve our game and have fun.

There are six indoor courts with a different drill set up on each court. The participants are assigned a specific court to start on and then rotate to the next court and so on every fifteen minutes. After the sixth drill, each group plays a short game. It’s a good set up. The time goes quickly, and some drills are more complicated than others. Everyone has an opportunity to practice each drill multiple times in their allotted fifteen minutes. Each instructor gives individual feedback along the way, as needed. It’s still intimidating, but it’s good to gain more in depth knowledge of the game.

As I’ve regularly played pickleball and taken classes throughout the past few months, I can say I’ve seen a bit of improvement in my playing. I’m still not great. I even hesitate to say I’m at an intermediate level, but who’s asking. I enjoy playing and getting some exercise. I need to stay active as I progress through these older years of life.

Here’s what I’ve noticed about other players. They come in all ages and sizes. Some choose to play every day. Others take one class and then don’t play very often. There’s an old saying that goes something like this. You get out of something what you put into it. And it’s true. I talked to one player last week who said she was embarrassed to say that she learned to play well over a year ago. But she hasn’t played regularly after that initial class. I could tell that her playing skill was similar to mine, whereas the woman who has been playing regularly for two years and has taken multiple classes plays at a much more advanced level.

During these classes, I’ve realized I had developed some bad habits in my game. The drills I was practicing were an attempt to break me of those poor moves I had adopted. It was painful to have to relearn new methods of play and to unlearn the old, easy and incorrect moves. It would have been much easier to continue to play poorly and complain about my bad pickleball moves than to unlearn them and relearn the correct moves. But I’m persevering and seeing improvement.

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. 2 Peter 3:18

I’ve noticed that just as in the effort someone puts into their pickleball skills, the same type of growth spurts and struggles also appear in a person’s spiritual life. Once a person becomes a Christian, they need to take steps to grow their faith and their relationship with God. We can’t just confess our sins and then do nothing else with our faith for the remainder of our days. We’ve just started the most important relationship of our lives, and there is work to do. Oh. Works won’t get us into heaven. I’m not saying that. I’m saying that we need to spend time getting to know God, and there are actions we need to take to do that.

The same steps that go into building a relationship with someone else applies to deepening our walk with God. These steps are rather simple, but we seem to avoid or ignore them. They may take a little bit of our time, which we deem so important. And time is valuable. But so are our souls. Some say marriage seems like an eternity, with all the ups and downs of a marital relationship. But true eternity is forever. And once we cross over the divide between our earthly life and death, we’re in eternity forever. So, we must choose today to strengthen our relationship with God to the best of our ability so we can have an amazing eternity with him.

Here are some simple steps to drawing closer to God. Read and study the Bible. Pray. Attend church. Build friendships with godly people. Memorize Bible verses. Join a small group to study the Bible, pray and fellowship together. Find a mentor who has walked their faith journey for years. And we should also share our faith with others.

The thing is. The pickleball instructors were once beginner players, just as I am. Along the way, they committed themselves to practice and drills over and over again. They played the game on a regular basis and didn’t quit when things got tough. And now they’re seasoned players and are coaching newbies like me.

The same goes for my spiritual life. I need to see improvement in my words and actions and thoughts. I need to see a renewing in the way I view the world. I must align all of my beliefs with biblical standards. If I’m going to say that God is the ultimate authority in my life, then I must bow my will to him and submit my all ways to him. I must run my desires through a biblical sieve. Do they pass the test of holy living or not? Oh. It won’t be easy, and I must be willing to bend and break. My will must not be above God’s will in anything I do or say. It’s all about submission to my heavenly Father.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

And then, once we’ve walked the baby steps and our faith has matured, it’s time for us to share the wealth. We can mentor and disciple other believers in their own faith journey. We can walk with other believers in their path of growth in Jesus Christ. We don’t need to walk this walk of faith alone. We need to come alongside others, just as our mentors walked with us through our journey. We must do the journey of faith with fellow believers. We’re not in this alone.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6-7

Crushing Disappointment

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

It was the night the Awana kids had been waiting for ever since the opening week. They could wear their Halloween costumes, and they were allowed to spend their hard-earned Awana bucks in the Awana store. They were so excited. They didn’t know what goodies were waiting for them in the store, but they were ready to find out. They were thrilled to see everything on display as they took turns carrying in their fake money and shopping for goods. And when they came back with their prizes, they were beaming.

It was finally the last little boy’s turn for my group. I went with him. He was ready to spend the seven fake dollars he was holding in his hands. But he wanted to save some for the next time the store was open. They only problem was that seven fake dollars don’t buy much in the store of little goodies. There were some big costly prizes to be bought with the right amount of money. And the prices and size of the prizes trickled down to little bits. He had to stay in the little bit section. He looked and looked over all the prizes that were in his price range, but he couldn’t find anything he wanted. Nothing was jumping out at him. And I tried to help him by pointing out toys and goodies he might have missed. But no. Nothing.

And then the most awful thing happened. Someone came to the door of the room and told us that the store was closed. Shopping was done. As I coaxed him out of the room, his head hung dejectedly down to his chest. He had nothing to show for his seven fake dollars. The boy who is usually full of his own self importance was left with nothing. I tried to encourage him by telling him that he had time to earn more money for the next time the store was open. It will be a few months before the store opens again.

The kids can earn Awana bucks by memorizing Bible verses and bringing their Bible, Awana book and vest each week. He sometimes forgets to bring them, and he doesn’t always have a Bible verse memorized. He’s more interested in talking back and writing on the white board. He doesn’t seem to understand that those things don’t earn him any money. He’s only seven, and he may not have much encouragement at home to learn the verses each week. But he can do it if he would put forth the effort. I see some moments of encouragement and goal setting with him in my future.

As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness. Philippians 4:15-17

As I was reading my Bible this week, I came across Philippians 4:15-17. It jumped out at me differently this time. I wondered. Did Paul ever feel disappointment in his situation? Did he assume all the churches would financially support him as he sat in prison? Did he believe that the believers in the cities he had travelled to on his missionary journeys would remember him in his time of need?

Paul had been put in prison because of his teachings about Jesus Christ who had appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Paul’s life had been transformed by the saving power of Jesus, and he used every day of his life to tell others about his newfound freedom in Christ. He wanted others to know this Jesus and believe in him, too. But there were those who didn’t agree, and they hated Paul with a vengeance. As he had once hunted followers of Jesus, he found himself being hunted for the same reason. And then he was imprisoned before being killed.

In the book he wrote to the Philippian church, Paul was joyful. As he sat in jail, he showed no signs of disappointment or discouragement. His faith was in Christ alone. He wrote letters to the churches he had visited and ministered to. He would hear along the grapevine how the churches were doing, and he learned of the struggles some of them were experiencing. He wrote to give them words of encouragement and admonishment. He loved those people and hoped and prayed that they would remain faithful to God. Since he couldn’t be with them in person, he did the next best thing by writing letters.

When Paul was in prison, he needed financial support. One church he had ministered to sent him money and supplies on a regular basis. Others sent nothing. He told the church of Philippi that he had learned to be content with nothing and with a lot. He had lived through both extremes and found that God was the sustaining force of his life whether his belly was full or empty. Whether he was warm or cold, he would praise the Lord. His situation would not alter his view of God or his joyfulness.

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:12

I wonder though if he ever experienced disappointment in the churches that never helped him out. Did they ever think about him and then ignore his needs? Were they just always so low on cash and supplies that they couldn’t scrape up anything for him? Didn’t they think to plan ahead and set aside a little bit each week to share with him? Did they just not have enough faith to trust God for their needs? Or were they so single minded that they only thought of themselves? Can you imagine him sitting there pining for the generosity of those who had been helped by his teachings? And then getting nothing in return? We never hear of that in his writings.

Unlike my little Awana guy who didn’t plan appropriately enough to earn more money and was greatly disappointed, Paul was joyful regardless of his circumstances. He was thankful for those who prepared ahead of time and faithfully helped him out. He knew that times were tough for them, as well. And he let them know that he was joyful regardless of his situation, and he wanted them to be joyful with him. He didn’t create a list of those who never helped him, and he never chastised them. Even though he knew that this group of believers in Philippi was the only church to send him supplies, he loved the others just the same. He knew that if they shared with him in need, God would bless their generosity. The other churches didn’t know the joy they were missing out on by not helping a fellow believer in need.

Paul’s joyfulness can be a great lesson for us when we become disappointed and disillusioned with others. Our expectations may be out of control and unrealistic, while the actions and words of others may be, as well. Our joy must come from God and God alone; not in our accomplishments, which are fleeting, but in the love and mercy of God our Father. He alone is our present help in trouble. He will not fail or forget us. He stands with us as we stand strong in faithfulness to him.

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” Nehemiah 8:10

Old Men in the Post Office

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

In my small town, everyone has to pick up their mail at the post office. It isn’t delivered to our houses. It’s a bit inconvenient, but it’s also an acquired habit to go to the post office and possibly run into your neighbors. I once ran into the neighbor across the street whom I’ve never met. She didn’t acknowledge me, so I didn’t say anything, either. She might not have even recognized me. I barely recognized her, because I had only seen her from a distance. However, I did recognize her car.

But earlier this week, I walked into the post office and almost ran into two older gentlemen who were standing inside the door carrying on a lengthy conversation. They actually knew each other and were happily conversing. Of course. They were standing in the way of anyone trying to enter or exit the building, but they didn’t seem to mind. They did step out of the way when I opened the door, but they kept right on chatting.

Further inside the building, another older gentleman was in deep conversation with the post mistress. And that woman. She knows everyone. She’s been sorting the mail for our small town for many years. She’s now close to retirement age, but she tells me that she has no plans to retire. She likes her job and loves keeping up with the towns folk. She can even recite my mailbox number when she sees me. I’m sure she can do that for most people who come through the door. I tell myself that because I hate to think that she’s got my number memorized because I get so many packages. But regardless of the reason, she can look at me and quote my po box number by heart.

I wonder just how many conversations between old timers goes on in that post office every day. I mean. If you want to get your mail, you have to stop by and go inside. It’s fairly often that I run into someone on my way in or out. Not always, but a lot of times. I just don’t know the people because I haven’t lived here that long. Most of these people seem to be lifetime residents, so they know others in our small out of the way town.

Since I moved here a year ago, I’ve had opportunity to meet many new people. When we decided to uproot our lives, we knew that we would walk away from friendships of many years. We knew that we would need to set down roots in a community of fellow believers and become part of that fellowship. And that’s what we’ve been doing since the moment we moved in. Has the effort been successful? At times, it seems so. Other times, we see that there is still room for improvement. We realize at this age, people have already built deep long lasting relationships and aren’t necessarily looking for more. They’ve found their people. And it’s been obvious. But there are some who have reached out the hand of friendship, and for that we’re thankful.

Since we live in a rural area of small towns, most people know and are known by many others in the community. It’s obvious, and I think that’s great. But I’ve also found that while many are friendly, they don’t reach out to become friends. It’s an interesting phase of life to be in and it’s sometimes a bit unsettling. But it’s the life we’re living, and we don’t look back. Oh. I’m not complaining. I’m just stating facts. It’s a good lesson to me, the biggest introvert on earth, that I need to be more friendly and do my part about reaching out to newbies. They too may be looking for a new friend.

And may the Lord make your love for one another and for all people grow and overflow, just as our love for you overflows. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

It seems that we all need to get out of our comfort zones and reach out to others. You may not think you need a new friend, but someone else may be looking for one. It could be you who’ll fit the bill of friend in their lives, and it never hurts to stretch ourselves and meet someone new. We get so stuck in our comfortable lives that we don’t think about others needing others. We are relieved that our friendship list is full, so we stop looking for new friends. We stop welcoming others into our circle. And heaven forbid that we get to know the new people. Comfort is safety for us. And we are good about avoiding uncomfortable situations.

So. Here’s the challenge. Move out of your comfort zone and get to know others. Say hi. Extend a friendly welcome to someone you don’t know. Actually chat with them. Find some common ground. Extend a hand of friendship and follow up the next time you see them. You could make someone’s day just with a short conversation. And then do the next hard thing. Invite them to join you for coffee. Or lunch. They may just be the new friend you didn’t know you needed. Always be willing to make room for one more in your circle. You’ll be surprised how much fuller your life will be.

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many. Hebrews 12:14-15

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 3:12-14

As believers, we really do need each other. We need to do life together. Oh sure. It’s great to have food and fellowship with each other. But what about accountability and discipleship? We need that, too. We need others to listen to our concerns and hear our prayer requests. We need to have others pray for us and we need to pray for them. We need to study the Bible together and hash out what God is saying to us today. We must ask the uncomfortable questions and sometimes receive uncomfortable answers. We must walk the road of life with people who will sharpen us and point us to a closer walk with Christ. We’re not meant to walk this path of life alone. So. Open the door to that new friendship. Your life and theirs will be enriched.

I’m so thankful for the one who invited me to their small group last year. It’s a great group of godly people who have been very welcoming to a couple of newbies. I’m thankful for all of them.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

He Knows My Name

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I’ve lived in this house for over a year now. I met my next door neighbor before we even moved in. And soon after we moved, he was added as a contact in my phone. He sold us a water softener system, and he’s been in my house multiple times and offered assistance in many other ways. As I type this, he’s in my garage changing the filters on the water softener. He occasionally calls me to check up on us if he doesn’t see us in the yard. He’s a good neighbor, indeed.

Just last week, I saw a new dentist. The dentist’s office is in my neighbor’s hometown about thirty minutes from where we live. The hygienist told me that she and her husband had grown up in that town, so I mentioned that my neighbor did, too. She asked his name, so I told her. And I told her that he works for the business his dad owns. She knew exactly who I was talking about. After living in a large city for many years, I’m still surprised when I talk to someone I don’t know who knows someone I do know. It doesn’t really happen too often in a large metropolitan area, but it seems to happen quite often around here.

But when I mentioned his name to the hygienist, she corrected me on his last name. For over a year now, I’ve had the wrong last name typed in my contact list. How that happened, I’m not really sure. I knew that I had initially confused the two last names, but I thought I had it correct. All this time, I’ve been wrong. Oh. I’ve never called him by the wrong last name. But I had mistakenly slapped the wrong name on him. I quickly corrected my contact list and made sure to inform my husband, because I had also given him the wrong information.

My neighbor will never know that I got his last name all mixed up. He’ll never know I’ve been calling him one name all the while it’s another one. I would definitely recognize him anywhere I saw him, but I would have gotten his last name wrong. That could have been embarrassing. But I’ve now been corrected, and all is good.

I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

God was intentional about creating me. His timing is perfect, and by his hand I was created. He knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb, so of course, he knows my name. He has the most intimate and thorough knowledge of me, more so than anyone else. I’m his creation, and he created me with significance and purpose. God is the one who formed me in my mother’s womb, so he is the one who commissions me to go and serve him and him alone. He knows the plans he has for me.

I don’t have to worry about God forgetting my name or calling me by the wrong name. After all, he created me in his image and named me. He values me and wants to have a relationship with me. God is omniscient, so he knows everything. After all, he even knows the number of hairs on my head.

And just when I seem to forget all that God can do, I’m reminded that he knows when I sit and when I stand. He knows my thoughts. He knows the good and the ugly thoughts I have. Before I even speak, he knows what I will say. And he loves me with an unfailing love.

You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. Psalms 139:2

I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself. Jeremiah 31:3

Oh. I don’t think my neighbor will need to walk with me through deep waters or go through rivers of difficulty with me. He won’t give his wife and daughter as a ransom for my freedom, but he has offered assistance more times that I can count. He isn’t my Savior, and he isn’t my Lord. He doesn’t need to redeem me. But he is the definition of a good neighbor. And now I know his name. But the one who knows me best and loves me most will do that and more for me. And he’s always known my name.

But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, “Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I gave Egypt as a ransom for your freedom; I gave Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Isaiah 43:1-3

No. It isn’t all about me. The love of the Lord God Almighty is endless and reaches to the farthest corners of the world. Just as he loves me entirely, he loves everyone else the same. He knows your name just the same as he knows mine. And he will welcome you with open arms when you come to him in full repentance. Accept him today as your Lord and Savior and you will be welcomed into the family of God. He already knows your name, and he’s waiting for you to accept his call to repentance.

We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 1 John 4:16

Pickleball Clinic

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I took a pickleball class earlier this year, and I’ve been playing once a week since then. I’m inconsistent in my playing, and I’d like to improve. I enjoy the sport and I want to feel, at some point, that I’m not a beginner. So. I did the only thing I knew to do besides continuing to play. I signed up for a pickleball clinic.

Two days a week. Two hours each day. For three weeks. That’s a total of twelve hours trying to improve my pickleball skills.  There were eight of us in the class, and we were drilled by our instructor on specific moves and positions and serves.  We were a sweaty bunch in motion.  We didn’t move in coordination or unison, but move we did.  Some were experienced beginners and others were very much beginners.  To say the least, the difference was obvious. I was happy to be in the more experienced group of the lot of us, but I was still far from perfect.

We learned.  We practiced.  We drilled. We failed.  We tried again.  And again. We were coached on how to improve our game.  To be honest. By the end of the clinic, I saw minimal improvement in my playing, but the instructor and his helpers told us they had seen definite improvement in all of us. Do they just say that to everyone?  Would I say the effort was a failure on my part? No way. It was an eye opener. It was a reminder of how far I’ve come and how far I have to go. I’m not trying to become a professional. I’ve just found a hobby that I enjoy.

Some may wonder why I play.  As I’m growing older, my body needs to remember how to move and maneuver. I need to be agile and be able to twist and turn and get up and down comfortably, sometimes on short notice. And pickleball keeps me moving. It’s good for me. It’s fun, and it challenges and humbles me all at the same time. It’s a worthwhile effort.

I had an injury last week while playing. Oh. It hasn’t stopped me, but I’m cautious about my moves. I was told to ice my leg, so that’s what I’m doing. I try not to overdo it when I feel the muscle tighten. I’m not an athlete, so I’m not really sure what’s the right or wrong thing to do. But I’ll keep moving as long as I can.

Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23

Here are some definitions of discipleship that I found this week. Groundwork Bible Study says that discipleship is the process of learning to love and follow Jesus and becoming more like him in our attitudes and actions. Got Questions defines Christian discipleship as one who puts Jesus first, obeys the Lord, produces good fruit, loves others, and makes more disciples. Navigators tells us that discipleship is basically a journey of spiritual growth. Regardless of how we define it, when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we begin a lifelong journey of learning and becoming more like him everyday. That doesn’t mean that we don’t need guidance and mentoring from believers who have been on this path of Christianity for many years and have weathered the storms of life through the lens of the Bible. We need all the help and discipleship we can get.

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19-20

Just as I can’t become a better pickleball player unless I discipline myself to learn the game and practice it, I can’t become a more mature Christian disciple unless I grow in my relationship with Christ. I do that by reading my Bible, spending time in prayer, attending church, and fellowshipping with and studying the Bible with fellow believers. Discipleship is the transforming process of becoming more like Christ in everything I do and say. My worldview which can be shaped by my social and cultural experiences must be converted into a biblical worldview. This only happens by choosing to process the world and everything in it from a biblical lens. We must undo any learning that tells us the gospel must somehow support cultural preferences. Our preferences and beliefs must be shaped by the Word of God alone.

Discipleship and mentoring is an important part of our Christian walk. We must surround ourselves with mature believers who can guide us and instruct us biblically when we have doubts or questions about our faith.

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Colossians 1:28-29

Have you ever seen the changing of the guard ceremony at the tomb of the unknown soldier? It is very solemn and moving. Those soldiers move in precision. No mistake in their gait. Their attention to detail is impressive. Their uniforms are immaculate. They are a well trained lot of the finest men and women in the military. Their job is highly regarded and coveted. Oh. These soldiers weren’t randomly selected. They are handpicked. And then they train rigorously. Many who begin the training program do not complete it.

If you’ve studied this fine group of soldiers, you will learn there are six distinct roles. There are six different levels of responsibility at the tomb. Oh. I’ve seen the changing of the guard in person, but I didn’t notice those specifics. But I’ve since read those details about the platoon.

These soldiers weren’t assigned to their positions by chance. They studied and drilled and worked hard to achieve this lifetime assignment. It’s a role few can add to their resume, and it is impressive. Just as they have had to work hard for this superior assignment, so too must we believers work hard on our faith to develop a close relationship with our Lord. Oh. It isn’t the same type of work. It isn’t the same responsibility. But there is a rigorous training in order to prove oneself fit for the Lord’s service. We can’t shirk the responsibilities of discipleship once we’ve made the commitment to serve Christ. We can’t repent of our sins and then do nothing to strengthen our faith. There is a price to pay and a sacrifice to make. We must take up our cross daily and follow the Savior of the world. Who knows. We may be in a position someday to mentor the next generation of new believers. Let’s prepare for that important task while we still have time.

Doppelganger

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

In case you didn’t know, I have an identical twin sister. Many say we look alike, but honestly, I see no resemblance. But still others can’t seem to figure us out. Through the years, my twin has told me that she has been mistaken multiple times for a certain famous actress. Judi Dench. I told her that I’ve never been Judi Dench’d. Not ever. But she’s told me many times about her experiences. I can’t figure it out.

Just the other day, I stopped at my favorite new bakery. This small shop makes the most incredible chocolate chip cookies. They’re only open three days a week, for which I’m grateful. Otherwise, things could get dangerous for me. I stepped up to the counter and the owner of the shop waited on me. Here’s what she said. You remind me so much of Judi Dench. My response to the magical cookie maker was “it’s interesting you say that.” And I proceeded to tell her the story of my twin sister and Judi Dench.

I told the baker that I was not Judi Dench. I was not anyone famous. I also let her know that this was my first experience at being Judi Dench’d. I was thrilled. As soon as I got in my car, I called the Judi Dench doppelganger and told her that I was now in the club. She laughed.

I’ve been taking a pickleball class for the past few weeks. On the first day of class, one of the women told me that I looked really familiar and wondered how she might know me. I told her that I was fairly new in town, so I didn’t know many people. But I mentioned that I had a twin sister, so maybe she was confusing the two of us. Since that day, we’ve had multiple conversations about where she and my sister may have seen each other. No where. They haven’t gone to the same places or run in the same circles. So I told her about Judi Dench. The next day at class, she told me that she had looked up Judi Dench. And she said she saw a resemblance. Go figure.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1-2

Just as some people may confuse me with my sister or with Judi Dench, the one I most want to look like is Jesus Christ. I know I don’t physically look like him. That’s not the point. He was God come to earth as a man. I’m a woman conceived by my mother and father. So in that way, there’s no comparison. But do I resemble Jesus Christ in my attitude and in my words and actions? Do I have a kind sweet spirit that radiates love to others? Do I forgive as I have been forgiven?

We believers must distinguish ourselves as ones set apart for the Lord. We can’t be like those who don’t profess to be Christ followers. That means we can’t be involved in all the same activities. We must live distinctly different from those who don’t claim Christ as their Lord and Savior. There must be a difference. If there isn’t, then what sets us apart? We are called to be holy. We must separate ourselves from relationships and attitudes and behaviors that don’t align with the teachings of Jesus. There are biblical standards for a reason. And we who have repented of our sins have a responsibility to uphold those standards in our daily lives.

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

You may ask what exactly was the attitude of Christ. Let’s look at that. Galatians 5:19-26 compares the lives of those living against the will of God and those living by the Holy Spirit’s guidance. We can see a big difference in just the words that are used to describe each type of life. Which one best describes me? Which one best describes you? Oh. We can fool ourselves and perhaps others, but we can never fool God. He sees right through us and he knows exactly where we stand in relation to him. Let’s not kid ourselves. Let’s choose the way of the cross and crucify the desires of our sinful nature and walk away from them. Then and only then will we be known as a follower of Christ.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:19-26

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:5

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:17

I must ask myself. When others spend time with me, do they recognize me as a child of God? Do they wonder what it is that makes me different from others? Does my life reflect the teaching of Jesus Christ? Do my words and actions speak volumes about my commitment to living a life of Christian discipleship? Do they see that I live a life set apart for God?

The Word of Christ should infiltrate every pore of our being. There shouldn’t be an instant that we’re not saturated in his likeness. As we go about our days, in every moment, the love and grace of Christ must shine through us. Oh. It sounds so lovely. And it is. But we are human and we have moments where we aren’t so godly. And others catch a glimpse of that. What should we do? We acknowledge our sin, repent and move on. We do better. We learn from our failings. We allow others to mentor and disciple us. We learn from the sages of old who have walked before us. The Christian walk is a daily commitment to serving Christ.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. John 17:14-16

Testing Her Religion

~ mercyfortheday ~ Leave a comment

I had a Monday morning hair appointment scheduled. I arrived a few minutes before my stylist, so I waited. When she walked in, she told me that she was sitting in her car reading. We both are hobby readers, so I asked what she was reading. She said she had started reading about the forty days of Jesus. And she had inspired a group of coworkers in the salon to read the book with her. She was on day two, but she wasn’t sure if the others had started their reading yet. She also mentioned a couple other Christian books that she’s reading. She’s all shook up about the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk. Because of it, she said she’s testing her religion and wants to help her co-workers understand the Bible more.

In the few months I’ve been seeing her, I’ve learned that she is politically conservative. We’ve had some interesting conversations about politics in our state and country. We agree on some things, but not everything. And we don’t really dig deep into our agreements or disagreements. We’re cordial in our discussions. She’s talked about God and the Bible and church. She’s expressed interest but made no outward signs of getting back in church. At one point, she mentioned that she wanted to start reading the New Testament. When I followed up with her a month later, she admitted that she hadn’t opened the Bible.

I’ve read that there is a spiritual surge happening in our nation since the assassination. Many people are returning to church and seeking solace in God in answer to the harmful rhetoric and violence that’s continuing to roar loudly in our country. People are seeking to be filled with something more than hatred and anxiety. They’re looking for something to fill that deep longing of the heart. They’re searching for the meaning of life. Honestly. They’re searching for God.

Just as multitudes are turning to church to find the answer, so is my hair stylist. Oh. She knows a lot of the answers. She’s attended church. She’s read parts of the Bible. She’s familiar with Christianity and Bible stories. But she’s searching for more. And she’s searching in the right places. Oh. We’ve had conversations about church and God. I’ve invited her to my church. When I saw her earlier this week, she said she’s back in church. She and her kids. I guess her husband hasn’t had the awakening that she’s had. She’s hungry for biblical truth. I pray that she finds a deep and fulfilling relationship with her Creator. And I pray that she keeps seeking that close relationship with Him.

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 1 Peter 3:15-17

The sad truth is that regardless of how many turn to God in these early days of awakening revival, many others will harden their hearts. They will want nothing to do with God. They will seek vengeance and resistance to the God of truth. Some will turn to violence and criminal activities. Others will harbor bitterness and hatred in their hearts. Many will numb themselves with alcohol and drugs or just plain scrolling. Others may end their lives and even the lives of others. God help us.

For those of us who come face to face with those who have experienced this renewed attention to spiritual matters, let’s keep the door of conversation open and civil. Let’s hear what they have to say. Let’s listen to their questions as they seek truthful answers. Let’s guide them to the ultimate truth, the Savior of the world. Let’s follow up with them in their search. They may need help in getting to the truth and may not really know where to turn. Let’s not be afraid to share the gospel with them. Because if we don’t share the message of salvation that we know to be true, someone who doesn’t know the truth may misguide them. We who have experienced the saving grace of our Lord and Savior must speak up. We must live our faith boldly in front of those who are searching and in front of those who are condemning us. We can’t look the other way and hope someone else takes up our cross. We must willingly take up the cross ourselves. Each of us. It’s our call. It’s our responsibility.

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” Romans 10:14-15

Regardless of where we’re sitting, be it a crowded hair salon or a quiet coffee shop, and someone asks us a spiritual question, let’s not shy away from the answer we know in our heart of hearts. Let’s share boldly. Even if others around us hear our conversation, let’s speak up. God is working in the hearts of many, and we each have a part in responding accordingly. People are opening up to the truth of Christianity, so we must speak it out loud. It’s not the time to be shy. God does not give us a spirit of timidity but of hope and power and self-control. Let’s spread the Good News in the power of the Holy Spirit.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his purpose and grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. 2 Timothy 1:7-9

For when we brought you the Good News, it was not only with words but also with power, for the Holy Spirit gave you full assurance that what we said was true. And you know of our concern for you from the way we lived when we were with you. 1 Thessalonians 1:5