Tori

Troncone

When we think of “defense” we might picture the big, strong linemen of a football team, or maybe even an army defending their base. It’s not often a word associated with gentleness. But when it comes to defending our faith, God’s Word instructs us to do so graciously and gently.

Through parables, prophets, and even the words of Jesus, God’s Word clearly depicts His heart for the lost. Let us align our hearts with His, as we pray for the lost, remembering that we, too, walked in darkness, and only by the grace of God have we been saved.

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, but sometimes God uses guilt to convict our hearts when our lives do not reflect His Word. When our loving Father disciplines His children, instead of getting defensive, let us heed His Word and seek to align our hearts with His.  

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by anger? God’s Word is clear that as our loving Father, He does not desire us to be burdened by anger. When we surrender our anger to God and seek His Holy Spirit, we can extend love and forgiveness to those who have angered us.

The Bible is the story of Jesus! The religious elite of the New Testament studied the Word of God all of their lives, yet they somehow missed that Jesus Christ was the Messiah. We should learn from their mistakes. Let us not strive to gain knowledge while disregarding the transformation of our hearts.

The Gospels are full of stories of Jesus healing and transforming people and situations. The God of the Bible is the same God we follow today. Has He done a good work in you? What is your "before and after"? Let us tell our transformation story and testify of God’s work in our own lives.