II Cor., Galatians, Ephesians

It is already Wednesday!  The week is flying by.  I slept well last night for the first night since the Philippines!  Got at least six hours of sleep.  Praises!  Here are the thoughts I have today in these scriptures: TRUTH- II Cor. 13:8 says:  "For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth."  The idea is that truth cannot be damaged.  People attempt to alter it, change it, deny it, substitute it, but for all their efforts..... it remains unchanged!  You see, truth remains like the anvil hit upon by many hammers.  The hammers are destroyed, but the anvil remains!  BUT, it can be helped by sharing it.  It has the power and sustainability, but we can share the truth of God's Word to others.  We can promote the truth by speaking it and even more importantly, by living it.  Do something for truth today.... live what you know! PAUL'S TIME LINE- Galatians gives us more insight into the ministry of the apostle Paul and the time line of his ministry.  In chapter one, Paul states that the gospel he preaches is not "after man", but "by revelation of Jesus Christ".  He goes on to say that after Salvation he went to Arabia and then to Damascus, and it was three years before he went to Jerusalem, and then he only saw Peter and James the Lord's brother.  He was totally unknown to the churches in Judaea, except by reputation as a persecutor of the church and now a preacher of the Gospel.  Then in chapter 2:1, "Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also."  Now this is when he would be commissioned to be sent out from the church to be a missionary (Acts 13).  So, Paul was no novice when he started these missionary journeys.  He no doubt was a man about 35 or older when he was saved, and now you add at least 17 years to that to come up with 52 years of age to begin his missionary journey!  Wow!!  I guess it is even more of a miracle when you understand this!  Don't let your age prevent you from serving God! WE ARE A BUILDING- Eph. 2:22 says:  "In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."  We are the building that the Holy Spirit chooses to live within.  Let us be mindful to make our building as pleasant for the Holy Spirit as possible without "grieving" him in our lives each day.  We are God's building and let us enjoy His presence today! Well, so much for today.  Have a blessed day in the LORD!!  Dr. Mike Mutchler, Pastor