In Romans 4 & 5, Paul speaks of faith and what faith truly is and he uses the example of Abraham as he teaches about faith. Abraham was considered righteous and received justification from sin because of his faith in the Lord. He believed God. He believed God's Words were true. He lived his life out of his belief in God's promises. He received the Lord's righteousness through his faith in the Lord. He gave glory to God through His faith in God. He did what God asked of him, fully convinced that what God promised, He was able to bring forth. We are saved by faith trough the grace of God, through repenting from sin and believing God - at His Word. When we entrust our hearts and lives to Jesus, we receive His justification, His righteousness, and His redemption. It only comes through wholehearted faith in our risen Savior.

In Romans 3, Paul points out that Jesus is for everyone. All have sinned and fall short of God's great glory and all of humanity needs Jesus desperately. Everyone is unrighteous apart from Jesus and His grace in our lives. Jesus doesn't make us righteous, He gives us His righteousness. As we grow in faith and love Him more and more each day, He does a work in us that makes us more and more like Him. We still aren't righteous, but we are justified by our Justifier, our Savior, by faith. Jesus gave up His life to give us His life. He purchased freedom for us. It's up to us to humbly surrender, repent, and choose His freedom, His redemption, His restoration, and HIs eternal righteousness.

In Romans 1 & 2, Paul writes a letter ahead of him to Rome to encourage the Christ followers in Rome in their faith. Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus. The strength and direction of the Holy Spirit within him directed his steps. No amount of persecution or opposition could stop him from the mission of Jesus in his heart and steps. He was on mission to save souls and gives us a huge example to follow. Paul shows us what looks like to live the Gospel of Jesus out every day and remain laser focused on the mission Jesus has given each of us. Jesus is returning, sooner today than yesterday, and with His return will come His judgment. Out of His incredible for us, He has already offered us His justification and redemption. It's up to us to repent, surrender, and follow Jesus desperately every single day and receive His righteousness. When we do, we stand blameless before the Throne of God. It is completely finished.

In Acts 28, Paul and the rest of the shipwrecked passengers find themselves washed ashore on the island called Malta. The Lord brought them all safely to shore just as He promised He would. The locals greeted the passengers with kindness and started a fire. Paul served others wherever he went and he collected wood for the fire to keep it going. A viper bit his hand and he simply shook it off and kept going. Nothing would stop him from the mission of spreading the Gospel message of salvation and this measly snake was no different. If the enemy attacks, we need to remember he has no authority. Jesus has all authority in our lives. Shake it off and keep going. Don't get stuck with snakes hanging from your hand, shake them off and keep moving forward. Jesus has you in and through everything. Keep trusting Him for every victory.

In Acts 26 & 27, the Lord is working out a perfect plant to move Paul towards Rome to continue the spread of the Gospel Message and keep saving lives for eternity. Nothing matters more. Paul testified of the Lord's mighty, powerful, and miraculous work in his life, giving all glory and praise to Jesus. He brought encouragement, hope, and peace to a ship full of nearly 300 men as it is about to sink. His zealous and radical faith changed lives. Never lose hope in any circumstance. Keep looking up and trusting Jesus in every step. Continue to pray, keep moving forward, and continue to testify of Jesus' love as He leads you through every wave. You are planting seeds by the power and authority of Jesus' Spirit withing you. If you remain faithfully surrendered to His will, He will move in your midst for His Name and His glory. Keep trusting the Lord in every step and keep praising His Name in every exhale. Faith in Jesus will never fail.

In Acts 24 & 25, Paul had been waiting in Caesarea for 5 days when a lawyer brought forth the false accusations against him in front of Felix, the governor. During his defense, Paul simply explained his faithfulness in worshiping Jesus. His hope was in the Lord God Almighty and he had a clear conscience. He was not hiding anything and had not done anything wrong or any of the things they are claiming. Paul wasn't worried because his hope and faith were in the Lord and he spoke in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit within him. The Lord's peace covered him. In Jesus, we are fully righteous. In Jesus, we are made new. In Jesus, we walk forward faithfully, confidently, and covered in His peace and love. There is no better or safer place to be than in the will of God.

(Galatians 5:16-26)

We will blow it on occasion through life, we are not sinless. However, with the Holy Spirit on board, we will sin less and less because of His power at work within us. Who we worship becomes obvious in how we live our lives. We live in a sinful broken world and we need Jesus desperately. He is the only One who gives us the freedom we need to grow.

In Acts 22 & 23, Paul asked the Roman commander to allow him to speak to the mob that was pressing in all around him before being imprisoned. Paul shared his encounter with Jesus. He testified of Jesus' power and the transformation that has happened to him because of Jesus. Jesus is our Savior, He is our Redeemer, and Rescuer. Regardless of any opposition in his journey, Paul continued on. He followed the will and lead of the Holy Spirit within him wholeheartedly. We must repent and surrender to the lead of the Holy Spirit with all of our guts. The Lord brought Paul through fires and ultimately to His victory and souls were saved for eternity as a result. Nothing matters more. Opposition will come, but the Lord God Almighty is with us in every fire and He will carry us through. We need to trust the Lord and His promises and know that He is faithful. His love never ends and He is leading us to His victory. The victory has already been won. We just have to choose to get on the path and keep going, keep pressing in, and keep pursuing Jesus with all our guts.

In Acts 20 & 21, Paul had spent 3 years in Ephesus and sensed the Lord had a new season awaiting him back in Jerusalem. It would be a season of great difficulty, afflictions, and persecution, however, Paul was not concerned about that. His only concern was remaining in the will of the Lord under the guidance of the Lord. The safest and best place to be is in the will of God, no matter what. Before leaving, he let his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus with words of encouragement, wisdom, love, and grace. He encouraged them all to stay alert and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in every step.

In Acts 18 & 19, Paul completed his 2nd missionary journey and began his 3rd. He preached continually testifying and giving witness to Jesus our living Messiah, our Redeemer. He preached and taught the Scriptures in the synagogues to both Jews and Gentiles and even though he faced opposition, the message of Truth continued to spread. The Lord encouraged Paul by telling him: "Don't be afraid, keep on speaking, and don't be silent. For I am with you, and no one will lay a hand on you to hurt you." This message is for each of us today as well. Paul pressed on and we need to press on as well, trusting the Lord's lead in every step of the way. Our confident faith rests in the Lord God Almighty and His lead never fails.