Courage to stand is rooted in God’s absolute truth. Paul instructed his disciple Timothy, but we can make an application for ourselves. 2 Timothy 2:19 says, “Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: The Lord knows those who are His, and Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Psalm 119:144 says, “The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; give me understanding and I shall live.” Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Daniel 11:32 says, “…the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.” Here is Paul’s faith, conviction and passion. Philippians 3:10 says, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Our courage to stand is fortified through our intimate communion with Him.

In Acts 24:16 Paul said, “…I always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” Paul was a man of unswayable convictions. Remember when Festus said, “…Much learning is driving you mad!” Paul calmly answered, “…I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.” Acts 26:24-25. 

In 2 Timothy 1:12 he wrote, “For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

When the Ephesians elders tried to persuade him to not go to Jerusalem, he stood firm in the courage of his convictions. Though he knew that chains and tribulations awaited him, he proclaimed, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy…” Acts 20:23-24. 2 Timothy 4:7 says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Ephesians 5:15 says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Circumspectly in the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary means: cautiously; with watchfulness every way; with attention to guard against surprise or danger.

Jesus went into the garden to pray. Peter, James, and John were with Him. He told them to wait while He went and prayed. They were not attentive because they fell asleep. Matthew 26:41 says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Temptations have no visible signs of warning. When we are not walking in the Spirit, our flesh is seeking ways to exert itself. Galatians 5:16-17. James 1:14 says, “But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”

A temptation is an enticement ~ not sin. Dialoguing with it, and playing it out in our mind is! We walk circumspectly first through our thoughts. Colossians 3:2.

Psalm 119:133 says, “Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” David learned from his experience of iniquity. Psalm 19:13 says, “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless and I shall be innocent of great transgression.”

The Lord took me into a real learning curve back in 1975. He gave me specific instructions, but I fell for a tempting trap and disobeyed. I paid for it for 10 years. When He says ‘don’t’ and we ‘do’ then we will bear the consequences.

Children have to be taught what is right and wrong through course correction. Galatians 4:24 says, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.”

We obey by faith even when we have no understanding. Temptations come, but view them as a teacher. Titus 2:12 says, “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” O Lord, help us be students of Your word.”

Verses in Psalm 119 often say ‘teach me’ with the writer’s intention of learning. Verse 135 says, “Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.” Verse 66 says, “Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe Your commandments.”

Verse 68 says, “You are good and do good; teach me Your statutes.” Verse 124 says, “Deal with Your servant according to Your mercy, and teach me Your statutes.” Note that the request ‘teach me’ was connected to the character of God.

The Holy Spirit is our Teacher. He uses our trials to direct us into God’s way which is perfect. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

Hebrews 12:11 Amplified says, “For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it…” Our trials take us deeper into the experiential knowledge of the character of Christ.

The ebook for Victorious Garden: true heart forgiveness is FREE on Amazon.com today, Saturday, and Sunday

Here is the back cover to give you an idea of what it is about

Why do some get stuck in the quagmire of unforgiveness?  Why are some relationships more difficult to maintain than others?  What causes angry outbursts, or withdrawal and depression?

The Bible clearly reveals God’s higher way to victorious living.  Jesus came to set the captives free, and to give us abundant life through relationship with Him.  This book explores various aspects of how to heal our heart from the destructive patterns of unforgiveness.

You can be free from the hurts of your past.  It all begins with your thoughts.  Your thoughts control your brain, but your brain controls your body.  Negative thoughts, buried hurts, bitterness, unresolved issues, and anger all destroy your health.  As you diligently apply God’s word to your heart, your thought processes will be purified and renewed.  You will then experience the truths of His word that will set you free to be who He created you to be.

James 1:25 says, “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

King Solomon instructed his son in Proverbs 2. Verse 1 says, “…if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you.” That is what Psalm 119 says over and over. Verse 100 Amplified says, “I understand more than the aged, because I keep Your precepts (hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying them).” Four action words.

Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” His purpose is to shield, guard, and preserve us from the enemy who lurks to lure us into his traps.

Proverbs 24:30-31 highlights one who lacked understanding. As a result his vineyard was overgrown with thorns; its surface was covered with nettles; its stone wall was broken down.

The Lord shares His heart with us through intimate communion. His scalpel-words pierce between our thoughts and intentions, to reveal the hidden lies that would shipwreck our faith.

Memorizing is a slow process for me. As I repeat a phrase over and over, I end up meditating on it. The discipline yields a double benefit. That is the case with Psalm 119:104. It says, “Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.”

The word ‘false’ in Hebrew means deception. The devil’s only power is through deception. He seeks to pull us from the truth that keeps us free. We gain insights as we read God’s word for understanding so we can apply it.

James 1:21 says that the implanted word will save our soul. His word is implanted as we memorize and meditate. Verse 22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves.”

A person who is deceived does not know they have been trapped by the enemy. When we look into the mirror of God’s word, our hidden to us is revealed. Think of the word blindspot. I know that I have blindspots when I am driving. I have to compensate for them in order to drive safely.

Let me ask you. Have you been meditating on God’s word? Have you allowed it to shape your thoughts, words, and actions? Psalm 119:78 says, “Let the proud be ashamed, for they treated me wrongfully with falsehood, but I will meditate on Your precepts.”

Verse 78 gives us strategic warfare. It is through meditating on His word. I love Nahum 2:1. As I quote or read it, I make it militant. It says, “He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.”

Our power comes from truth. The enemy only can lie. John 8:44 says that the devil is the father of lies. Meditating on God’s word gives us discernment, so we can detect the fiery dart lie and not give it entrance.

It is only the lies of the enemy that we have received that penetrate and seed into our heart. That is his design. He builds inner strongholds to defeat us through our thoughts. Not every thought is of our origin. Beware. Be on alert. Fortify your heart’s defense through meditation.

Our trials come unannounced. James 1:3 says that we fall into them. I can attest to that. I’ve had two bad falls. One in a ravine (1977) and one on the sidewalk (2024). There is a hymn called “Sometime We’ll Understand.” The chorus: So trust in God through all the days. Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand. Though dark thy way still sing and praise. Sometime, some time we’ll understand. 

We do have the assurance from Scripture that God is in control ~ always. He is our Masterful Orchestrator. Romans 8:28 says that He is at work for our good. Verse 29 gives us understanding. He uses our trials to conform us to His image. Nothing we go through is ever in vain. The Lord will redeem it all.

I’ve been memorizing Psalm 119:97-104. Verse 97 says, “Oh, how I love Your law. It is my meditation all the day.” His word in us makes us wiser than our enemies, gives us more understanding than the ancients or our teachers. They keep us from disobedience. They teach us to hate evil.