| The Truth will set you free, but not until it is done with you. I don’t know who the first person was to coin this phrase, nor its context; however, it definitely echoes Jesus’ thoughts in John’s Gospel—Chapter 8 to be precise. When Jesus said the truth will set you free, it was in the context of those who abide by his words. The freedom that the gospels describe is not a life free from struggle, temptation, or pain. It is a freedom that one experiences in the midst of their struggle, temptation, or pain. There is a world of difference between the two. I liken it to the difference between swimming with the current and swimming against the current. The current is there, it won’t go away…one doesn’t have to be controlled by it, but can actually thrive in the face of it. Over my years of following Christ, I’m comforted and have drawn strength from how God is never satisfied until his nature is formed inside the follower. God won’t quit, won’t stop, but will continue until it is done, in this life or the life to come. His work will involve conviction, empowerment, comfort, or encouragement depending on what is needed to bring about his purpose. But, he won’t stop. I’m glad the truth will continue its work in me until the work is completed—that is real freedom. Thanks be to God.  This Week’s Readings: * Monday – Acts 11 * Tuesday – Acts 12 * Wednesday- Acts 13 * Thursday – Acts 14 * Friday- Acts 15 | Acts 16 Prayer Requests: * Continued Growth Inside and Outside the Walls of St. Paul UMC. * Strengthen our Country and Leaders, here and abroad. * Heal those who are sick and protect those who are not. * Give our leaders extra wisdom as they navigate this pandemic and economic uncertainty. * Help those seeking to find their way. |
| “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” – Philippians 4:6 |