Strength comes from truth.

podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/276e253e/strength-comes-from-truth-no-57-acts

Because we all need strength...  

Veteran fighter pilot, E. Royce Williams, a retired Navy captain who shot down four Soviet MiG-15 jets in a classified 1952 operation was awarded the nation’s highest military decoration near the end of President Trump's speech to Congress on Tuesday. 

“Royce was in the dogfight of a lifetime,” the president said of Williams’ heroics.

“His squadron was ambushed by seven Soviet fighter planes...his first aerial combat of the war, and despite being massively outnumbered and outgunned, Royce led the take down of four enemy jets and almost destroyed the others – vanquishing his adversaries while taking 263 bullets to his own plane and being seriously hurt.”

The fighter pilot’s exploits were kept under wraps for decades – even his wife was unaware – to avoid escalating tensions with the Soviet Union.

Williams’ mission required him to hit targets on the ground in North Korea (close to Russia's border), from his F9F-5 Panther fighter aircraft, according to the Pentagon.

Within minutes of Williams arriving at his destination, the Soviets scrambled seven MiG-15 fighters tasked with shooting down his plane.

“They dropped back in and started shooting,” said Williams. “Since they started the fight, I shot back.”

“I could see the bullets coming over me, and under me...”

President Trump said, “Tonight, at 100 years old, this brave Navy captain is finally getting the recognition he deserves."1

A true hero for the sake of our country - a life committed to serve the United States of America. Inspiring? Indeed!

Friend, if Navy captain Royce Williams had a calling/a mission/a sold-out purpose, how much more do we--children of God, born into this time and place? Have you considered that perhaps "you were born for such a time as this?"2!

In my last Morning Briefing, Your Mission, Should you Choose to Accept it, https://conta.cc/3ZOw9ip... I challenged you with the joy and privilege of living on mission for Jesus Christ. We are to stay the course, bring others to God, and finish well--that is our mission, what we are called to do. 

And again, I refer us back to Paul. Look what he said in these few verses from Acts 20: "And now I am bound by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem. I don’t know what awaits me, except that the Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God."3

Why in the world did Paul insist on continuing his journey to Jerusalem, knowing that what awaited him was prison, chains and death?

How did he remain strong in the face of what was coming?

->Paul knew his calling and he steadfastly looked to God

to remain faithful to the Lord Jesus.

For you, today - your strength comes from knowing the one true God and standing on the TRUTH, which of course, includes biblical truths and promises, so that:

When fear, worry or a tidal wave of difficulty is threatening to overwhelm, you can keep these words in the forefronts of your mind:

>God is your refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble4 . . .When you feel yourself starting to worry, turn to God, ask him for help. Remember, you really can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.5

>You can ask God for wisdom daily.6 The wisdom God supplies us with includes discernment, understanding, prudence, judiciousness and discretion...and one more thing to keep in mind: because God sees time in all one piece, the wisdom of God guides according to what he knows--for today, for tomorrow and eternity. 

As you are endeavoring to stay upright, it is vital that you

>Discipline your thinking—instead of worrying, complaining, lusting ... or? choose to turn your mind toward thanking God specifically for the good things in your life, naming each one.7 

>Let go of the past. As Paul lived: “…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”8  While the past cannot be changed, our view toward it can.  Listen to me: We can accept the mercy of God, and allow it to transform us—choosing to cast our gaze forward and heavenward, rather than always looking backward over our shoulder or from side to side.  [reread that last sentence] After all, this world is not our home; we are just passing through on our way to Glory!  Look beyond, look toward your eternal home, for this life is just a flash in the pan by comparison.

In closing, as I am, so I pray you will also be encouraged by David’s words--

“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.  

     He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; 

        he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  

           He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  

              Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”9 

God gives us strength to do what he has asked us to do because he who called us is faithful, he has won the victory!

Powerful new song: 

By Faith-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n9kjKB_VH8&list=RD7n9kjKB_VH8&start_radio=1

Christine

1 - New York Post article, https://nypost.com/2026/02/24/us-news/100-year-old-korean-war-veteran-will-receive-medal-of-honor-during-state-of-the-union-2026-address-report/

2 - Esther 4.14

3 - Acts 20.22-24, NLT

4 - Psalm 46.1 

5 - Philippians 4.13

6 - James 1.5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

7 - 1 Thessalonians 5.18 – Give thanks always!

8 – Philippians 3.13-14   

9  - Psalm 40.1-3