Tag: Saul's sinful deeds

Felt Safety

When dealing with children who have experienced trauma, there is a need for the child to feel safe in order for them to trust and attach or bond to their parent or caregiver. Even if the child recognizes they are in a safe environment, they may not feel safe due to the trauma they have been exposed to. So, in caring for these children, the caregiver adjusts the environment and their behaviors in order for the child to feel safe, develop trust, and be able to attach and bond. These caregivers become a shelter or refuge for the child while they heal from the trauma they have been exposed to. The caregiver becomes their safe-space and there, in the shadow of their wings, they find love and safety.

Our Safe-space

There has always been evil in the world, but it seems that with every passing day, more and more evil is exposed. It can leave us feeling unsafe, uncertain, unprotected. There is a sense of trauma as we experience the evil in the world. But there is a place where we can find refuge. We, too, have a safe space. The Psalmist uses an analogy of a bird gathering her young under wings to tell us there is refuge in the shadow of God’s wings.

Imagine the birds under the safe space of momma’s wings

Imagine for a moment what it is like for the baby birds in their safe-space. Under their mother’s wings, they find shelter from the storm. They find warmth. They are close enough to momma to hear her heartbeat. The baby birds feel the comfort of her embrace. They know she is keeping an eye on any danger that is near and she will defend them. Because under her wings is safety and refuge, they have no need to fear.

David knew calamity and he knew God was his safe space

David certainly knew calamity as he battled against King Saul and then throughout his reign, his enemies sought His life. Over and over again throughout the Psalms we see David calling on God for mercy and deliverance, but we also see him placing his trust in God. He knew that God was a place of refuge from all his troubles. He knew that God was his safe space.

A place of refuge

A refuge is place where one can go for protection. It’s a place of safety and shelter from danger or trouble. It’s a place to run to when being pursued. Notice that a refuge does not mean that trouble or danger will never come. Rather, it’s a place where we can seek safety during the danger or trouble.

David sought refuge

We need to also notice from this verse that David sought refuge under the wings of God. The verse does not say that God drew David under His wings. David had to put himself there. In order to do so, he had to place his trust, confidence, and hope in God. This is what placing yourself under God’s wings really means – trusting Him, even when you don’t understand why or when you can’t see God at work.

Consider the following:

Do you trust God when life seems to be falling apart?

Do you trust God when you or a loved one receives a bad medical report?

When you lose your job, do you trust God will take care of you and open another door?

Do you trust God when your marriage seems to be falling apart?

Do you trust God when one bad thing after another just keeps happening?

When there is a financial hardship, do you believe in his promise that He will supply all your needs?

Do you trust God with your children’s lives?

Do you trust God with your biggest hopes and dreams?

Trusting God is an Active Choice on our part

Our faith and trust in God can grow when we make the active choice to trust Him and believe that He is in control of every situation. For each circumstance we face in life, we can choose to do things our own way or God’s way. We can choose to be angry about what we are facing, or trust and believe that God is always good and that He has good plans for us. We can choose to demand our own way or to wait on Him. Or, we can choose to quit and walk away or to keep on believing that His Word is true and that He is faithful to keep His promises.

Trusting God comes down to one thing – it’s always our choice.
–Julia Bruce #trustingGod

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In the Shadow of God’s Wings

Return for just a moment to the image of the baby birds hiding under their mother’s wings. Everything that is true for the baby birds, is true for us when we seek refuge under the wings of God. Under His wings:

We find shelter from the storms of life.

We find warmth in a cold and cruel world.

Under His wings, we can hear the heartbeat of God if we are close to Him

We can feel the comfort of His embrace

If we are under His wings, we can know that God is watching over us and keeping His eye on everything going on around us and in the world.

We have no need to fear when we are under His wings.

Imagine yourself there – under His wing.

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Do you have an event on the calendar and need a speaker?

We’re offering 15% off our speaker fees if you book by July 31, 2021. Call today and use the discount code: SUMMER2021.

We’re excited to be a part of your ministry and can’t wait to see you – no matter what size your event.

904.239.8937

Help support our ministry:

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Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

[Download not found]

Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan

We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.

[Download not found]

Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan

With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!

[Download not found]

Download our Free Self-Care Wheel

The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.

[Download not found]

<<<SPOTLIGHTING>>> In the Spreadshop Store:

Every Knee Will Bow

At the name of Jesus, one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings.

The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.

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See our Canvase prints in the Teespring Store: All Things New

We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store. These prints make great gifts or for decor in your home.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us and save us from our sin, He takes our old, sinful self and makes us new in Him. This beautiful canvas is a great reminder of what Jesus has done for us.

To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints

---

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

---

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
• Conversation Starters.
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
• Romance Builders.
• Relationship Builders.
• Personal reflections.
• Date ideas.
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

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Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

Christianbook Distributors Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher

Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.

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A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 

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Your Past Doesn’t Define Today or Tomorrow

When God calls us to a task, we can sometimes be like Moses and give all the excuses as to why God’s got the wrong person, especially when we allow past sins and mistakes to define who we are. But the truth is, the moment you accepted Jesus a your Savior, your past has been forgiven. The slate was wiped clean! No matter what you’ve done, you’ve been forgiven and your past has been overruled. Instead of standing before God guilty, you can now stand as a gloriously redeemed child of God!

There was a famous evangelist named Brownlow North. In his early days he had lived a life that was anything but Christian. Once, just before he was to enter the pulpit in a church in Aberdeen, he received a letter. This letter informed him that its writer had evidence of some disgraceful thing which Brownlow North had done before he became a Christian; and it went on to say that the writer proposed to interrupt the service and to tell the whole congregation of that sin if he preached. Brownlow North took the letter into the pulpit; he read it to the congregation; he told of the thing that once he had done; and then he told them that Christ had changed him and that Christ could do the same for them. He used the very evidence of his shame to turn it to the glory of Christ.

The great Christians have never been afraid to point to themselves as living examples of the power of Christ. It is true that a man can never change himself; but it is also gloriously true that what he cannot do, Jesus Christ can do for him.

Paul Points to Himself as a Living Example of the Power of Christ

In Acts 26, Paul points to himself as a living example of the power of Christ. Paul stands before King Agrippa and begins his extraordinary testimony by confessing the wrong he had done. He was very transparent and honest to admit that he was wrong in what he thought about God and how he pursued the things he thought were of God for selfish gain and dominance. People had a view of Paul. This Paul once named Saul was a violent man who hated Christians because they proclaimed Jesus as Lord. He had developed a reputation of a man without mercy. He was a man with a prestigious education of the law of God yet he had a heart of stone. Saul had a reputation that was world renowned.

He then tells King Agrippa about his trip to Damascus with a sinful stand against Christians, his sinful deeds, his sinful plans, and his sinful life. Here is Saul, a man who people both respected and feared. A man with of power against those who proclaimed Jesus’s Lord. But in a moment, on the road to Damascus, Paul encountered Jesus who overruled all that Paul had done and set him on a different path.

Acts 26:9-16

“I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

“In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me. And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you.”

Christ overruled Saul’s sinful stand

On the Damascus Road, Christ overruled Saul’s sinful stand. Paul was convinced that his actions against the Christians was the right thing to do. In fact, he persecuted the Christians with a raging fury against them. He chased them down in foreign cities, he locked them up in prison, he cast his vote against them and sent them to their deaths. And he did so because he took a sinful stand against Christ. He wrote in Acts 7:52, “Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers.

Paul took his stand with the children of the wicked and joined the ranks of those who persecuted and killed the prophets. He took his stand with betrayers and murderers He took his stand with those who rebelled against God. He took his stand with fury and hate in his heart. Ultimately, he took his stand with Satan.

But then he encountered Jesus who confronted him and told him to “rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you.” Jesus overruled Saul’s sinful stand against Him and changed his raging fury against Christians to passionate purpose to bring the lost to Christ.

Jesus overruled Saul’s sinful stand against Him and changed his raging fury against Christians to passionate purpose to bring the lost to Christ. — Julia M. Bruce

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Christ Overruled Saul’s Sinful Deeds

On the Damascus Road, Christ overruled Saul’s sinful deeds. If anyone could say, “How could God ever use me?” it would be Paul. In 1 Timothy 1:13, Paul describes himself as a blasphemer, persecutor, and injurious. But Paul doesn’t stop there. He goes on to say, “but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”

All of his deeds against the Christians and the church, Jesus said Paul was doing them against Him. Jesus says to Paul in Acts 26:14, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” But Jesus had already ascended into heaven when He confronted Saul on the Damascus Road. So how was Saul, then, persecuting Jesus? We can find the answer in Matthew 25:35-40.

For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

What we do to others, we do to Jesus

Jesus teaches us that whatever we do to each other, we are doing it to Him. So when Paul was persecuting the Christians, he was persecuting Christ. His sinful deeds were great, but Christ overruled them and then set Paul on a different journey and mission that would spread the gospel message throughout the Gentile world. If God can choose to use Paul and assign him a divine mission, then He can choose to use you, regardless of what your past looks like. Just as Christ overruled Paul’s deeds, He can overrule your deeds.

Paul’s sinful deeds were great, but Christ overruled them and then set Paul on a different journey and mission that would spread the gospel message throughout the Gentile world. — Julia M. Bruce

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If God can choose to use Paul and assign him a divine mission, then He can choose to use you, regardless of what your past looks like. Just as Christ overruled Paul’s deeds, He can overrule your deeds. — Julia M. Bruce

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Christ Overruled Saul’s Sinful Plans

On the Damascus Road, Christ overruled Paul’s sinful plans. In Acts 9, we find the account of Saul encountering Christ on the Damascus Road and the plans that Saul had. Verses 1-2 says: “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

His plans were to wipe out all believers, exterminate all the faithful followers of Christ. He had plans to banish them to prison and bind up their testimony so that Christianity would be wiped out for all time. But Christ overruled Paul’s sinful plans and changed them for God’s divine plan.

Paul’s plans were to wipe out all believers, to banish them to prison and put an end to Christianity. But Christ overruled Paul’s sinful plans and changed them for God’s divine plan. — Julia M. Bruce

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Christ Overruled Saul’s Sinful Life

On the Damascus Road, Christ overruled Paul’s sinful life. Acts 9:3 says, “And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.” It didn’t just shine around him – it overpowered his life. It enlightened his life, exposing his sin and revealing God’s abundant grace towards him. A grace that overpowered and overruled all his sins. It freed him from the chains of sin and empowered him to proclaim the gospel message with confidence and authority, even when it would cost him his life.

Paul’s sinful life was overruled as he exchanged his disbelief for faith and proclaimed Jesus as his Lord. From that day forward, Paul’s past didn’t define him, it defined the power of God’s extravagant grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness. Paul became a living testimony of what God can do in one’s life.

The blinding light on the Damascus Rd overpowered & enlightened Paul’s life, exposing his sin & revealing God’s abundant grace. It overruled all his sins & empowered him to proclaim the gospel message with confidence & authority, even when it would cost him his life. Julia Bruce

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Christ Overruled Saul’s master, Satan

On the Damascus Road, Christ overruled Paul’s master, Satan. Before encountering Jesus on the Damascus Road, Saul had been ruled by Satan. He served to do his bidding in stamping out Christianity. But on the Damascus Road, Jesus overruled Saul’s master and Jesus became Saul’s master. Satan was defeated when Jesus died on the cross and rose again. But on the Damascus road, Jesus overruled the power of Satan in Saul’s life and set Saul on a new direction towards a crown of life.

On the Damascus road, Jesus overruled the power of Satan in Saul’s life and set Saul on a new direction towards a crown of life.

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If today, you are worried that you have a past full of sin and it is too much for Jesus to forgive you, then look at Paul. His story on the Damascus Road is in the Bible for you and me so that we can know there is no past too far gone in sin that Jesus cannot overrule and step in and change. Like Paul, you can experience the change from sinner ruled by Satan to child of God who’s past has been overruled and now lives under the extravagant grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness that Paul experienced. Simply surrender your will and sinful heart to the Master, Jesus. He will overrule all your past and give you a brand new life.

.

Do you have an event on the calendar and need a speaker?

We’re offering 15% off our speaker fees if you book by July 31, 2021. Call today and use the discount code: SUMMER2021.

We’re excited to be a part of your ministry and can’t wait to see you – no matter what size your event.

904.239.8937

Help support our ministry:

---

Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template

Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.

[Download not found]

Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan

We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.

[Download not found]

Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan

With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!

[Download not found]

Download our Free Self-Care Wheel

The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.

Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.

[Download not found]

<<<SPOTLIGHTING>>> In the Spreadshop Store:

Every Knee Will Bow

At the name of Jesus, one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord of lords and King of kings.

The slide show below highlights some of our favorite Christian Tees designs available in our Spreadshop and Teespring stores.

---

See our Canvase prints in the Teespring Store: All Things New

We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store. These prints make great gifts or for decor in your home.

When we ask Jesus to forgive us and save us from our sin, He takes our old, sinful self and makes us new in Him. This beautiful canvas is a great reminder of what Jesus has done for us.

To see the collection of Canvas and Poster Prints

---

Need some music to get you through the day? Check out one of our Playlists on YouTube

You can also watch our animated devotionals on the YouTube Channel

---

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars by Julia M. Bruce

What’s Inside God, Love and Marshmallow Wars?

God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:

• Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
• Conversation Starters.
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
• Romance Builders.
• Relationship Builders.
• Personal reflections.
• Date ideas.
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.

Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.

---

Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More

Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.

Christianbook Distributors Search: Title Author/Artist ISBN CBD Stock # Keywords Publisher

Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.

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Here’s some of our recent posts.

904.239.8937
A non-profit ministry located in Jacksonville, FL 

Follow us on: