Listening To Wise Counsel

Rays of Hope ~ Tim Stockton

Have you ever regretted a decision that you chose to do and can even hear a memory of someone saying, “I told you that was not a good idea.” I would have to say that if someone holds a bad decision over us and continually reminds us of a time we may have lapsed in good judgment, that is not a positive thing. That is not a good friend and though they may have offered wise counsel at one time to be negative towards us continually and to throw it up in our face is not a wise thing to do.

However, most who are willing to give wise counsel are probably not ones that will rub it in your face if you don’t heed to their advice. There are times in our lives that it does us well to seek out wisdom from others who have what some say, “been there, done that.” Sometimes experience is better than gained knowledge and a great Biblical example is from the book of Acts chapter 27 when we can read about the time Paul was being transported by ship to Rome.

On the journey there the winds began to get contrary and from 2 Corinthians Paul later wrote that he had been in 3 shipwrecks already. From these experiences of being tossed to and fro in a ship in a tumultuous sea and even once for a night and day he had “spent in the deep.” Acts 27:9-10, “By now much time had passed and the voyage was already dangerous…Paul gave his advice and told them, “I perceive that this trip is headed toward disaster and heavy loss, not only of the cargo and the ship but also of our lives.” Paul was telling this advice based on his past experiences, not from a “revelation or vision” he had as he did have in the past; or like he did have about the situation days later. Instead of listening to Paul the owner of the ship, the Captain of the ship and the Roman soldier in charge of delivering the prisoner to Rome dismissed Paul and agreed that it would be okay to continue sailing on.

They set sail and at first everything seemed alright, but before long a “fierce wind” took control of the ship for 2 weeks those on board were tossed around and sea sick and had come to a point of losing all hope until Paul was able to share with them again a vision that he had now had about their situation. In Acts 27:21 Paul encourages them, “You should have followed my advice, but now I urge you to take courage because there will be no loss of lives, but only of the ship.”

We can learn from this story of how important it is to get and then follow wise, godly counsel and that if we decide not to, there will be consequences. In the book of Proverbs 1:5 it reads, “A wise person will hear and increase learning, and a person of understanding will attain wise counsel.”

~TRS 11/16/25

Getting the Gift of Grace

This past Sunday was a church Fall Festival with the theme, “His grace falls on us.” Festivals are a fun time for people to get together and fellowship and for the kids and kids at heart to do some fun activities. Being a pastor now too I remember one of my former pastors saying when you get a big group of people together there is no better time than to preach truth. We had several youth who did awesome jobs of singing and then I had an opportunity to share about what grace is.

Since that was part of our theme I took the word grace and made it into an acronym; G.R.A.C. E. as a way to understand a bit more about what it means. The G stands for Gift; the grace of God cannot be earned and we will never deserve it. Grace is simply offered as a free gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 lets us know that “For by grace we have been saved when we believed and we can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

The R stands for repentance. This is the only thing that becomes our choice. We have to realize that we are a sinner and that there is none who are truly good and that we all need the grace of God and through repentance and “turning” from our own will and submitting to the will of God will we then receive the grace of God. In other words; no repentance, no grace. For those who do not choose God and submit to Him will not be covered by His grace.

When we have received Christ then we can trust in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you…and the power of Christ may rest upon you. This power is the A which equals the anointing of God. Once we have the anointing of God upon our lives we can be moved with what the C stands for and that is Compassion. The Bible teaches in Hebrews 4 that Jesus became our High Priest who was tempted in all ways, yet without sin, but that He in all ways understands our weaknesses. Therefore, we can come boldly before His throne of grace. When we have received the grace of God and experienced His compassion it will guide us in being moved with compassion towards others. Even those we may think in our minds that they don’t deserve it.

Even greater is what the E stands for and that is for “everyone.” God’s grace is for all people according to Titus 2:11-14. We are all one human race created by Him. We are all God’s creation, but we are not all God’s children until we do the R (repent). Through repentance is the process of being “born again” to becoming a child of God. So as this Fall season has started just be mindful of the grace of God. It is there ready to be taken if only we are ready to submit and change our ways through the process of repentance.

10-12-25 TRS

When You Feel Worthless

Insignificantly Significant

Something that is insignificant means to be unimportant, trivial, or of little consequence. It can also refer to small things, or things that are inadequate, or lacks distinction. It is quite amazing that the Creator of the Universe and time would choose to most often use the things, nations, or people who by human standards are insignificant. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:1-3, “And when I came to you, I came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, fear, and the awe of God.”

The plan of salvation was known before creation as it is referenced in Revelation 13:8, “The Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world.” God made a way for all to come to know Him personally. He first chose an insignificant nation at the time who was smaller and weaker than others to ultimately show and model justice, love, and worship to the world. Israel was chosen for a specific purpose not to exclude other nations from God, but to be used as a means of extending God’s blessings and salvation to all people. Israel’s role and purpose was to provide the human line through which the Messiah would come. Again God chose to come through the “insignificant” to become the most significant, which is the quality of being worthy of attention and importance.

Jesus did not come into a “royal, well to do family.” He was born in a stable around animals to a working class family. He wasn’t raised by a Pharisee or Sadducee, the religious elite of the time. He was raised by a carpenter, not a king or a soldier. He was humble and walked or rode on a lowly donkey. Though He will be returning as a warrior-king riding a white horse to destroy one thing specifically that He created, which is time.

Time is significant. It is something that stops for no one. When God started the clock it continues to move forward until He stops it and it will be no more. There is no time in eternity. Though our own time is temporary on this earth. This again makes time very important. We can become either so busy that we don’t even savor the time we have, or be so lazy that time is wasted. We need to be thankful for the times we have had that are now in yesterdays and cherish what time we have in the moment, and have hope for the time we may be blessed with in the future. But, the most important and significant thing we can do in the time that we have is understand what the plan of salvation is that came through the most insignificant ways. Though it came about through insignificant ways it is very significant that there is no other way. As 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “Now is the accepted time, behold now is the day of salvation.”

Originally written for the Wayne Weekly June 2025

~TRS

Grace Appears To All

The concept of salvation is synonymous with deliverance which is the action of being rescued or set free. It is unfortunate yet mostly true that for many people we never see the need for deliverance unless things become very unbearable. This still does not mean that some will take the way out even though it will be offered. According to Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to everyone.”

This verse lets us know that it is the “grace of God” that brings deliverance to those that believe. Salvation is only received by those who confess and believe that Jesus is God who came in the flesh, dwelt among people preaching the kingdom of God, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons. Then being betrayed was crucified, died, but resurrected. Historical evidence verifies with “many infallible proofs” that He was raised from the dead and ascended into Heaven with the commission of His followers at that time to preach and proclaim Him to the area they were in and then expand to all nations.

Two thousand years later many are still being saved by the Truth of His message. Whatever we may face in this life or obstacles that may come our way are nothing in comparison to the grace that brings salvation. This grace does appear to all at some point in our lives and we then have a choice. Some will accept it, but some will not.

Even the one who say they are an atheist at some point even if it is for a brief minute will KNOW the Truth for it has appeared unto all however, they will have choice to repent or rebel against the Truth. For those who do accept the grace that is freely offered then will be taught what the other verse of Titus 2:12 states, “(the grace of God)…teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly desires, we should live soberly (in our right mind) doing that which is right, and Godly in this present world.”

In our time, the present we can find the deliverance that we need from those things that will cause us to be enslaved. To name a few from the verse just listed are when we choose to live in ungodliness and seek worldly desires, addictions, and doing things outside of the will of God. Continue to dwell in these things and if not already you will be enslaved and in need of salvation.

It is good to know 2 Corinthians 6:2, “For he said, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I delivered you; behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” So whatever you may be facing in this present time know that if you are still willing to see the grace God offers you can be set free.

This is a combination of a messaged I preached Feb. 9th and today 4/27. Over the years many if not most of my “preaching messages” also became an article for The Outlook and now The Wayne Weekly. Those are newspapers “which are printed weekly publications consisting of folded unstapled sheets and containing news, feature articles, advertisements, and correspondence.” 🙂 Many who get their news from online sources may have never known or forgotten what a newspaper is. LOL. I was honored and surprised not too long ago when a gentleman (in appearance much older than I) saw me in a parking lot and came and told me that he appreciated what I had been writing over the years and that he too was a preacher and had often used examples from my writings in his messages. Being an Op-Ed (opinion columnist) means that what I write about does come from my beliefs and my opinions that not all will agree with. Just like my writings and my messages I try to keep it mainly focused on what The Word teaches. My opinions hopefully can encourage and inspire, but the Word gives life and deliverance. ~TRS 4/27/25

Coincidence? I Think Not.

People can choose to believe whatever they want to believe. However, just because you believe a certain thing does not make it so. I could believe that I am the ancient King Tut reincarnated and attempt to get others to believe it too, but that fact is there would be no truth in it and no facts to verify it. Some may say that most or all things good or bad happen for a reason and some may not believe that at all.

As I sit down to write this article for The Wayne Weekly, to meet my deadline for this coming week’s edition which also will become a part of my blog (timstocktonraysofhope.com) my mind has been racing of what to write about. My family at the encouragement of my wife wanted us as a family to read through the entire Bible this year. We were doing good keeping on track back on the “snow days” but as time moved forward and our lives being involved with other things in it did not always get priority. One day missed turned into 22 days missed.

A few weeks ago it was planned by us to attend church with my wife’s sister’s family in Bowling Green. On our drive down we decided to get as much “caught up” as we could with the Bible reading. With all the modern technology we can plug the phone into the vehicle’s speakers and have someone else “usually with an accent” read it to us.

We were in the Gospel of Luke after having completed Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Matthew, and most of Proverbs and some Psalms.

In the Gospel of Luke we heard tell of the great faith of the friends who had a sick friend they let down through the roof to where Jesus was. This was one of the times when Jesus claims His true divinity that He IS GOD.

He does this by telling the sick man that his sins are forgiven first before healing him. The “religious leaders” who heard this were distraught and “reasoned within themselves…who but GOD can forgive sins. Jesus “knowing their thoughts” (yes, He knows what we think) explained the reason He spoke that statement. This leaves only two options to believe; 1. You can believe like the religious leaders and think Jesus is crazy and blasphemous, or 2. You have to agree with Him and believe what He claims about Himself.

As we had listened to this true account of Christ being read on the way to a church that we had not visited for over a year the entire sermon was about this same story; even though the pastor read it from the Gospel of Mark. The definition of a coincidence is, “events that happen at the same or close in time by what some call chance or luck.”

If we had been “on time” reading our one year Bible plan or chose a different day to visit the church it “wouldn’t have worked out.” I choose to believe God “appointed” it to happen which led me to write this article which I believe will be a confirmation for someone else who reads it. As ol’ man Ripley would say, “Believe it, or not.”

~TRS 4/6/25

The GIFT of Giving

One can look up the definition of gift and it will explain that a gift is something that is given without any expectation of payment. Recently I was able to share that to understand the depths of what a gift is we just have to remember the acronym, G.I.F.T.

As in the definition of a gift it has to be “Given, Intentionally, Free-willing,” with some “Feeling, Thought, and Time” put into it. The greatest gift ever given was from the Creator of the universe, nature, and all things which are all gifts to enjoy as well, but still the greatest is the One who fulfilled hundreds of prophecies, the Messiah.

A recent headline in the news is that the Bible has picked up in sales in the past few months and since 2020 with people looking for purpose. The Bible has been a number one selling book of all times because within it one, if they are willing to find it, will find their purpose between it’s pages. This is not only a gift for yourselves, but others in your life.

John 3:16 is a verse within the Bible that most have heard about even if they have never read it for themselves. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Within this verse it lets us know that God “gave.” To give us His Son is a gift that was intentional, because He has the feeling of Love for us. He also put thought and time into the gift.

He knew that from the beginning that Jesus would be given to a broken world as it states in Revelation 13:8 that Jesus is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” This means that God foreknew that once He created the people, in the garden, in the world, that was in the universe He spoke into existence was tempted they would fall into sin and need a Savior.

This shows He was intentional and thought about how to bring the “Ultimate Gift” to the earth in order for us to have an opportunity to receive it. Just like any gift that is given to us we have a choice of whether to accept it or not. You may have heard about this gift and know it is there waiting for you to open, but it will be your choice of when this gift is opened in your own life.

It is only repentance that opens this gift. A gift that can never be repaid. Our gift back to God is giving of our will to Him which also has to be intentional with love. For the greatest thing we can do is to love the Lord God with all our heart, mind, and soul and love our neighbor as ourselves. Receiving this gift will change the way we feel and the way we think and the more time we put into this “GIFT” the more giving we will be.

~TRS 12/22/24

Taking Control To Stop Identity Theft

Rays of Hope ~ Tim Stockton

A continuation from the last article that can also be read from the blog timstocktonraysofhope.com is about how it is God who defines us and gives us our identity. Living in the present people have to be aware of the fact there are dishonest, crooked, and manipulative people who are out to steal as many identities that they can. The very first identity theft came soon after the beginning and the original two people had their true identities stolen by the “father of lies and deception.”

When sin came into the world it changed the human relationship to God from that point on. From even before that point God knew and made a plan to bring restoration. In a somewhat comical, yet serious explanation Jase Robertson, from the Duck Dynasty family in a YouTube short from Truthimus.com states, “We can know the entire Bible in 60 seconds. From Genesis to Malachi it tells that Jesus is coming to earth in human form because we humans are flawed. The four gospels tell of when Jesus; God in human form came to the earth. Then Acts through Revelation lets us know that Jesus is coming back.”

Revelation 13:8 states that Jesus is the “Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth.” This means God knew what the human race would do to need salvation even before He created them, yet He did anyway and therefore made a plan on how to bring salvation to all those who choose to believe.

As explained in the Defined study from the Kendrick brothers, “God’s love for us, His desire for a relationship with us, and our identity as His image bearers never changed.” God is always calling us closer but we have to have “ears to hear.” The deceiver is still out to “steal, kill, and destroy” any and all opportunities that are given to accept and know Truth. Jesus explained in the parable of the sower about how the same seed (the Word of God) was sown on the different types of soil and how if it doesn’t take root the enemy will “snatch it away.”

We do all we can to protect our identity from being stolen like hiding our pin numbers, using passwords, securing our devices, and using privacy controls. Likewise, we need to do all we can to protect our true identities God designed within us and become the Light bearers that we were always meant to be.

11-17-24 ~ TRS

Living On Purpose

Have you ever thought about if you could have been born in another time and place, when and where would it be? If you put too much thought into it though you will realize that if “you” could be in another time and place you wouldn’t be you. It took all the ancestors from the parental bloodlines of your parents to make you who you are. So, if we were born at different times and places we wouldn’t be the persons we are today.

I recently have been doing a study and then turning it into a preaching series as well based on a book written by the Kendrick brothers called, “Defined; who God says you are.” The first lesson is to focus on how we each are uniquely created and that God knows each one of us from the moment of conception when He gives life to us.

We are created in His image as it is recorded in Genesis 1:27, “He created them in the image of God; He created them male and female.” Many believe that God has been from the beginning, because He created time and made the beginning. Psalm 139 lets us know that God has been there since our own individual beginnings as well. “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You. When I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed and in Your book they all were written…How precious are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! (Ps 139:13-17).

To be fearfully made is to be made with respect and reverence. To be wonderfully made is to be made in a way that it inspires delight and is seen as extremely good. When something is made with skill it is being created with a purpose. This is how the Creator has masterfully sculpted each person. For Him to have “precious” thoughts about us means that He sees us as valuable.

Too often many will discount their beginnings and not realize the value of their life. We were created with intention and purpose; on purpose to become a light bearer of the One in whose image we are created, yet with our own uniqueness in that no two people have ever been, nor will be completely alike.

Take time to thank God for your beginning and seek to live for Him on purpose.

~TRS 10-27-24

The Dangers of Favoritism in Relationships

We all may have a favorite ice cream, or a food to eat. We might have a favorite car to drive or a favorite place to visit. However, it is not good to have a favorite person. You may enjoy someone’s company and have a great love towards someone, but if we choose to treat some better than others we could fall into the entrapment of favoritism. This practice is continuing to give unfair preferential treatment to one person or group at the expense of another. This type of treatment though the one getting it may like it all the others may feel treated unfairly.

Showing favoritism is the opposite of being in unity which the best selling book of all time, The Bible teaches. In Galatians 3:28 it reads, “neither Jew nor Greek, male or female, slave or free, but all are one in Christ Jesus.” One can also read in several instances of those who were called of God but then chose to do the opposite of what they knew to do and showed partiality and reaped the consequences of that. Abraham favored Isaac over Ishmael, Isaac favored Esau over Jacob, and Jacob favored Joseph over his brothers. In each one of these cases the outcomes had devastating impacts on others.

The apostle Peter once said as recorded in the book of Acts, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality, but in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” In the book of Romans it is encouraged to “let our love be without hypocrisy. To abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good and be kindly affectionate to one another, in honor giving preference to one another…be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all. If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

“If it be possible as much as it depends on you” is a choice. It could be a very difficult choice that is why it says, “if it be possible.” But, with God’s help He will give us His mercy and grace to at least not show partiality and treat others unfairly. We are to be the “hands and feet” of Christ and if our faith is placed in Him we will be moved by compassion to help those in any need, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. The best way to do that is to never show favoritism or partiality.

~TRS 10-6-24

Letting Maturity Shine

I had recently written about joyful tribulations and that seems impossible to ever refer to a time of trouble as a time to experience joy. It’s because most may see joy as just a “feeling” when it isn’t really that, but it is a fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22 states, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These are all evidence of living in the Spirit, or walking after the ways of God.

For most, as the older we get we are able to look back over our lives and see the good and bad times. Some may have more of one than the other, but no matter how many “bad times” they can learn to be endured. We keep on keeping on and learn through those times we can’t wait to get out of. The half brother of Jesus who came to faith in HIM after His death and ascension became one of the first writers to the early church as most historians will tell to encourage the early “beginning” church to walk the walk and talk the talk if you are going to call yourself a believer in Christ.

In James 1:3 he writes, “you know the testing of your faith produces endurance and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” In our society and culture to hear the word perfect is a standard that none can really live up to and a belief that some mistakenly think they are without spot or blemish. The Word lets us know that there are none who are perfect, but we all fall short of God’s glory. God has a certain standard and we none can reach it. This is the reason for salvation and yes we all need it, but it is a choice. You don’t have to receive it. Yet, it is still a gift that is offered to all.

Once the gift is accepted then we can be made perfect, but not in the way we see the word. The word can actually mean becoming mature. As children grow we hope that they get more mature. I’m sure we all know some that no matter their chronological age they are not so mature. Maturity is something that takes effort to demonstrate.

As we live through the good and bad times and learn how to navigate through life we can only hope that we learn to be more mature than we were the day before. Even Google explains that maturity is being able to take responsibility for your own actions, having the ability to listen, being willing to have accountability, and respecting others. All of these are also evidence of walking in the right Way and along with the fruits of the Spirit we can gauge our maturity and growth in Christ. The closer we are to God and living in His light the brighter our lives will shine.

~TRS 9-14-24