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Confidence

John 14:27 (AMP) Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] 

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning I take a class at the gym called Body Pump. I stand towards the front of the class, because that is where a fan is. So that means quite of bit of the class are behind me and can see me in the mirror. I like the mirror, because I can check my form while I am exercising. We are often afraid of mirrors because we do not like certain parts of ourselves. Mirrors are needed. They help us keep the correct form, so that we do not cause an injury.

James 1:23-25 (AMP) For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (AMP) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom]. And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit.

Comparison is very crippling in the body of Christ. The mirror I am looking into is not to see a reflection of anyone else, other than Christ in my life. I should be an encouragement for others to continue, not a hinderance to stall growth in their life. Authenticity and real change are what people are wanting to hope in. Peace and stability in Christ are real. Being rooted and grounded in the love of Christ is possible.

A lady stopped me yesterday as I was putting away my equipment. She said, “I admire your confidence.” She told me she had been watching me and that she admired how confident I am in this class. In this class, I am the big girl. I will not be the small girl; there will not be a huge transformation about from big to small. Very little is known about lipedema, other than there is no cure. That is not why I go to the gym. I go so that I can be healthy. Mobility is health. Skinny does not mean healthy. We all grow older. What matters is that we do not quit because we do not see a change. Others see the consistency.

We are called into the body of Christ. What happens when we think that it does not matter if we show up on Sunday? Who are we really thinking of? I love my gym community. We watch out for each other and look for each other. That is called being the church. It is through the obedience of the Word in my every day that He reveals Himself more to me. I have to get outside of myself. When we think we do not matter, it is because we are still rooted in self. There is no peace in self-reliance.

John 14:21 (AMP) The person who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him [I will make Myself real to him].

John 15:12 (AMP) This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.

I ask that of myself daily. I pray for opportunities daily to show others His grace, mercy and love. I also have not attachment as to whether I receive it back from them or not. That is called keeping score, and love keeps no account of suffered wrongs. Jesus never looked to received back; He continually gave. How does He show me that He loves me? In the moments that I do not expect it. From the stranger that told me they see the confidence in me. That confidence does not come natural to me. It is from a surrendered life that confidence came. It was where being rooted and grounded in the love of Christ came from. It is where my peace is found. I grieve for those who look for it any other place than in Him. I hear the resentment in their voices. I hear the lack of love for others when they speak of what others were willing to do for them, yet they will not do something small for someone else. Yet I continue to serve, not that they deserve it, but because I love Jesus.

Peace is so important, that He said He would leave it with us. Peace brings courage. Peace brings confidence. Peace opens the door to wholeness. Worry is an enemy of peace. Depression is not resting in peace. Afraid of being uprooted from what you think is safe is not peace. Peace comes because we are confident in who Christ is in our lives. Others should see that confidence. Jesus will not turn away from confidence (Matthew 15:28).

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are Mighty and Wonderful. You Name is Holy. Thank You for Your Son, that we may have Peace. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, that we may know Comfort and Confidence. We repent for the times we made our days about just us. We repent that we approach Your church the same way. We love You. Jesus said that if we loved Him that we would obey His commandment. We are sorry that we have fallen short in seeking the best for others. We repent for keeping score and only serving those that we thought deserved it or would return it. We did not deserve the Love You so freely gave when you sent Your Son. Let us look for the best in each other. Let us no longer keep accounts. Let us love like You love. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We stand in Your Perfect Peace today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Humility is Relevant

James 4:10 (AMP) Humble yourselves [with an attitude of repentance and insignificance] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up, He will give you purpose].

Did you dream of being famous when you were younger? I believe at one point all of us dreamed of being in the movies or admired. I loved the movie Annie growing up. I could be found swinging on my grandparents swing set singing Tomorrow at the top of my lungs. I would sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow from Wizard of Oz and Somewhere Out There from An American Tail. You know what, this girl cannot sing. I do it around my husband just to be funny, because it is comedically awful.

Right now, social media is a platform where people can be relevant. Regular people can become “Tik Tok famous” or have “followers”. I would rather be obedient than relevant. I am grieved by the state of the church right now, by wanting to be relevant. Do you know that He has already given us purpose? It saddens me that there is a voice of division going on inside that is supposed to be seeking unity. What are we to be unified under? The Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The enemy wants us confused and set apart from each other. I was reading Luke the other day and came across this scripture, Luke 9:46, “An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest [surpassing the others in esteem and authority].” What happens when we start pointing out things amongst the body of Christ? Who is watching? Verse 47,  “But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and had him stand beside Him.” I believe in correction, but I also believe we can slide into self-righteousness very easily. I want to draw others closer to Christ, not cause them to withdraw from Him because of the Body.

Psalms 69:32 (AMP) The humble have seen it and are glad; you who seek God [requiring Him as your greatest need], let your heart revive and live.

What we think on will affect our hearts. It will affect how we love not only God, but how we love each other. When He talked about removing the plank in your own eye (Matthew 7:5), before you remove the speck in another’s, He was saying to search within yourself to not cause another to stumble. Our planks can trip others up. It is not saying to stop correcting entirely, it is saying check your motive because we can be biased in some things. Do you genuinely care for them? Do you want the change because it would be best for you or is this the best way to draw them closer to Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (AMP)  For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.

So, to all those that want to be seen, you have been seen by the One that loves you so much that He died for you. Let us share the goodness of God with others. Let us seek His glory. That is my heart in this time. Did the words that I say speak of Your Goodness and Mercy? Did the message we preach point to You? Nothing else matters. Jesus gave us authority, but He also tells us what is most valuable. Nevertheless, because we can slide into pride and self-righteousness so very easily. What is it for and who did it come from?

Luke 10:19-20 (AMP) Listen carefully: I have given you authority [that you now possess] to tread on serpents and scorpions, and [the ability to exercise authority] over all the power of the enemy (Satan); and nothing will [in any way] harm you. Nevertheless do not rejoice at this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven.

I was in prayer and went over something I had written a few years ago for my husband and myself. I pray this over us quite often but wanted to put it out here for you to be able to pray it as well.

Lord, Your Word says You set Yourself against the proud and give favor to the humble (James 4:6). I know we fail sometimes. In fact, we are at times so full of pride that we do not bring You any glory. So I pray for humility for myself and my family. I submit this to You, because I know it is what I want in my life. Lord, You said that pride breeds quarrels (Proverbs 13:10). Make us humble people who receive advice and find wisdom. Take away any pride and give us humble hearts that are obedient to You. Seach our hearts and make a change within us. You said blessed are those who are meek and humble of heart (Matthew 5:5). That is who we desire to be. We desire for Your glory to be seen through us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Personal Seed

Mark 4:30-32 (AMP) And He said, “How shall we picture the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use to illustrate and explain it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when it is sown on the ground, even though it is smaller than all the [other] seeds that are [sown] on the soil, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden herbs; and it puts out large branches, so that the birds of the sky are able to make nests and live under its shade.”

It all starts with a seed. I have been in ministry just about my whole marriage, twenty-five years. I have had to grow into it. I was not raised in ministry, nor the church. For many years I went through the motions of what I had witnessed. It was not until I decided to really dig into the Word for myself that my kind of mustard seed really took root. That is when real change happened in my life.

Looking at all of the parables of the Sower in Mark, there are three that really talks about the seed in chapter 4. We can read them in order of how they are written with the Parable of the Sower and Soil, the Parable of the Seed, and the Parable of the Mustard Seed. I did just that, however, when I got to the Parable of the Mustard Seed (verses 30-32), it made me go back and look at the other two again.

For many years I was like the person in the Parable of the Seed, “Then He said, “The kingdom of God is like a man who throws seed on the ground; and he goes to bed at night and gets up every day, and [in the meantime] the seed sprouts and grows; how [it does this], he does not know (verses 26-27).” The Seed (the Word) is always good, and it will produce something. That is what is like when you know some of the Word. I went to seminary when I first got saved, like immediately after. I attended church every time the doors were open. I poured into my study Bible. There was a seed that was being planted into ground, and it was producing a change in me. Then it became stagnant. I never went off to do on my own, but I did not grow very deep. There was still a lot of Amanda living.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed tells us the seed is LIKE a mustard seed, meaning as a metaphor as something small. I take it as a revelation of the Word that is personal to you. Often, we get so overwhelmed with the things of the Kingdom that we stay in the position of the Parable of the Seed. There are seeds in the ground (we are the ground) and it is producing but we do not quite know why or what. When I grabbed a hold of me being rooted and grounded in the love of Christ, that was my mustard seed. Some it could be about faith in Christ, some it could be right standing in Christ, others it could be adoption through Christ. We all need a seed like a mustard seed. That is when real growth begins.

Now that we have a mustard seed, look back at the Parable of the Sower and the Soil (verses 3-20). How much you hold dear to the that seed, will determine the soil. Can the seed grow roots? When I grabbed a hold of the seed of Ephesians 3:16-20, and it came alive in me, the roots began to really form. Transformation happened like never before and still is. There are many that say that they read their Bibles and they do not get anything. Have you invited the Holy Spirit to join you? He is our Teacher.

Mark 4: 24-25 (AMP) Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. For whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”

Our hearts are the soil. Our minds are the gateway to our soul. Our mind, will, and emotions have to be surrendered to the Word of God for any seed to take root. That seed was not planted seven years ago when I got the revelation of being deeply rooted in the love of Christ. It was planted twenty-seven years ago, when I received Jesus as my Savior. I remember the moment. I remember how the Holy Spirit spoke to me. I remember that He told me the love that I desired I could not get from my fiancé (now husband), it was only through Christ. I desired to be deeply loved, and that is where it began. There was so much that tried to take away that seed, but the seed is always good. I may have put it away from my mind for a while, but I never let it go. Then in my darkest moment, I could allow pride to reign or I could surrender. I chose to surrender, and it has been the greatest decision I ever made. Has it been easy? No, but it has been worth it.

We all receive a seed. What is yours? Do you hold it precious to you? Our salvation through Christ is the greatest gift we could ever receive. He is inviting us to go deeper, to take root. The mustard seed grows into one of the largest trees in the field. It becomes so big that birds can nest in it, a place of peace. I want to show others what it is like. I want to encourage you to feed your seed and let it take root. Let it open up Christ in your life that you never could imagine for yourself. I have taken Ephesians 3:16-21 and formed it into a prayer for you and myself.

Our Father, Holy is Your Name. Thank You for Your Son. May He grant us out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in our inner selves, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. And may we, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that we may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that we may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that we may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

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What does it mean to live the good life?

Micah 6:8 (AMP) He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?

I was in prayer the other day and was praying for the prodigals. I came across a name and the Lord spoke to me about the deception of living the good life. I asked Him, ‘what does it mean to live the good life’, and He brought back to the story of the rich young ruler.

Mark 10:17-22 (AMP) As He was leaving on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially good and morally perfect], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is [essentially] good [by nature] except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not testify falsely, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” And he replied to Him, “Teacher, I have [carefully] kept all these [commandments] since my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love (high regard, compassion) for him, and He said to him, “You lack one thing: go and sell all your property and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”But the man was saddened at Jesus’ words, and he left grieving, because he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].

When possessions or the goal of getting have us, then God does not. This man was raised in church; all he knew was how to live right. Living right is not how we gain eternal life. Being good is not the key. What do you treasure more? What in your life makes you whole? Is it Jesus? Is it something else and then add Jesus? We can live the right life and still not be surrendered.

The prodigal son loved his father and knew the love of his father, yet he still left. Think about it, he lived in the father’s house. What were his words, “give me.” His father gave him what he asked and then left; the son wasted it. He had to force himself on someone for a job, a job where the pigs ate better than him. Then he came back to his senses and realized that his father’s servants were taken better care of than how he was living at that moment. He went back willing to live as a servant, but his father restored him as son. You can read the entire account in Luke 15.

I have been reading a book by John Bevere called A Heart Ablaze: Igniting a Passion for God. In this book John points out that when talking to Moses about entering the promised land that Moses did not confer with the Israelites on a certain matter.

Exodus 23:20 (AMP) Behold, I am going to send an Angel before you to keep and guard you on the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 

Exodus 33:2-3 (AMP)  I will send an Angel before you and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Go up to a land [of abundance] flowing with milk and honey; for I will not go up in your midst, because you are a stiff-necked (stubborn, rebellious) people, and I might destroy you on the way.”

Exodus 33:12-15 (AMP)  Moses said to the Lord, “See, You say to me, ‘Bring up this people,’ but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways so that I may know You [becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, recognizing and understanding Your ways more clearly] and that I may find grace and favor in Your sight. And consider also, that this nation is Your people.” And the Lord said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest [by bringing you and the people into the promised land].” And Moses said to Him, “If Your presence does not go [with me], do not lead us up from here.

What is most important? Was it the Promised Land or His Presence? The people of Israel were willing to accept the Promised Land without His Presence. They grieved their wrongdoing, but did it change their heart? Moses came out of Egypt too. He was a prince; he had a better life than all of them. He would not trade that life for the life without His Presence. How many of our churches are happy with going about their “Christian” life without the presence of God? It is our hearts He wants, not just our belief. He is such a good God, He would never leave us nor forsake Him. Why can we not do the same to Him? The same reason the Israelites could not, they lacked the Holy reverence. Reverence means that I am no longer in charge. A surrendered life. Jesus lived that. He called us to it as well. We forget that part or we use the word “grace” to get out of it. How foolish (read the account of the virgins in Matthew 25:1-13). I want everything God has for me, and it is not about the natural stuff. I want all the promises of His Presence. That comes with peace, joy, hope and the fullness of His love. That to me is living the good life.

Adonai, Father, Lord over all, You are Mighty and Worthy of all our honor and praise. You Name is Holy. Thank You for Your Son, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher. Thank You for Your Word, a Light that fuels the flame back to You. Take all that we have and make it Yours. We repent for just wanting what You can give us without desiring more of You in our lives. Our hearts stand in awe of You. We desire Your face, not just Your hands. You will fulfill Your purpose in our lives. We stand with arms wide open, asking for more of You in our lives. We choose a surrendered life. We choose a life of forgiveness. We choose to speak of Your Grace, Your Love and Your Mercy. We are no longer holding back from You what truly belongs to You. We give of ourselves freely. Holding nothing back. We surrender. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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The importance of the remnant

Romans 11:5 (AMP)  So too then, at the present time there has come to be a remnant [a small believing minority] according to God’s gracious choice. 

For so long we have looked at the remnant as an us versus them discussion. The remnant have a duty and it is not to put mankind against each other. The remnant are called for reconciliation. The remnant is a word of hope.

We were talking in prayer about those that never returned to fellowship within the church after the stay at home order of covid-19. Then there are those who attend church that do not care completely for the entire body, just for those in their household. Then there are those that attend, receive and leave, never truly getting the fullness of what it means to belong to the body of Christ and truly loving each other. The remnant is not just a gathering, it has to do with the heart after God.

You can be in a state of apostasy and still attend church. Apostasy has to do with defiance. There are those within the walls of our churches that are in outright rebellion regarding following after the Word, instead they follow their emotions.

Isiah 55:8 (AMP) “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.

We can have thoughts and ways that do not line up with what the Word of God says. We have the ability to choose. God did not lie about that. He wants you to choose Him, but you do not have to. You can not choose His ways, but then you will have to deal with the results. You do not have to struggle, you can always choose to surrender. Here is where we get in a state of apostasy; we root into self and pride sets in. Pride brings with it offense, fear, anxiety, depression, shame, guilt, the thoughts of we are against you; of which none of that is true in Christ. We cannot be in this state and say we stand for unity in the body of Christ. We have now become double minded and easily confused by the enemy. Last week I wrote about the enemy’s goal is to wear us down (Daniel 7:25a), he does this by saying that Word does not apply today. He does not want us seeking the Word of God, nor His face.

King David sought the Lord in true repentance after he sinned with Bathsheba, and had her husband killed. Psalm 51 is a prayer of repentance, I often quote some of it during my prayer. Repentance is not a bad thing. It tells God that we want Him to do a work within us. Repentance is not about guilt or shame, if it were then it would not be of God. David had a heart after God, that means he desired to spend time with Him (and not just when He needed something). David knew where his strength came from. David knew where his joy came from. David knew God to be His source. That is the same God we can have a relationship with today.

2 Corinthians 7:10 (AMP) For [godly] sorrow that is in accord with the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but worldly sorrow [the hopeless sorrow of those who do not believe] produces death.

This word salvation is not about just getting to heaven. This is talking about the fullness of God. King David had a true heart of repentance. King Saul did not, and it led to his destruction. King Saul in his apostasy, when he became disobedient to God’s ways, pride took root in him and it was his ultimate downfall. This is why it is so important for us to keep a heart check, not a heart defense. A heart defense will harden, but a heart check will keep it moldable.

Just last week I had a heart check and needed to apologize to someone that I spoke with. Even though what I said was correct, it still could have swayed them in their heart. So I repented before God and then asked for their forgiveness. My life is not about me, it is about Him receiving the glory. That is what it means to be a remnant. Let us look at Romans 11 some more.

Romans 11:16 (ESV) If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.

God must be first in our lives. When Jesus stated we are to hate our fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, etc. (Luke 14:26) He was not talking about us having enmity against them. He is saying no person should hold more value than God, that includes my own husband and children. This is what the remnant has to take hold of. The root of all that we are is found in the love of Christ. He is the vine and we are the branches (John 15).

What are you rooted in? The remnant sees God as their source. The remnant knows what it means to consecrate themselves to the Lord. The remnant knows without a shadow of a doubt all that Christ paid for in setting the captives free. The remnant knows that without grace we would not have known true faith. Faith in the One who gave it all.

1 Peter 2:4-5 (NASB) And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by people, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NASB) So then you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

I am not giving up on the apostate church, neither am I giving in to compromise. God is going to get the glory. That is why the remnant have stayed faithful. It is not about them, it is all about Him. I am not seeking blessings, I am seeking His face. We choose to treat others better than we have been treated ourselves. We choose to seek the best for each other. We are not a closed off country club, we are a living example of what it means to lay down your life for someone else. We are never to think so highly of ourselves that we become so spiritual minded that we become no earthly good. We have excused away the Great Commission. I stand here proclaiming His Kingdom come, His will be done, on earth as in heaven. Keep these verses before you, and pray for a to the Father to create in us a clean heart, and renew a right and steadfast spirit within us (Psalms 51:10).

Romans 6:8 (AMP) Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live [together] with Him

Galatians 2:20 (AMP) I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

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God said, don’t quit

Hebrews 12:2 (MEV) Let us look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

About eight years ago, around this time of year, my husband and I went through tremendous heart ache due to the church that we are leading. Some people that we love dearly decided that they did not want to be with us any longer. They had led and were very much a part of our life. They just did not want us to be their pastors, and it was due to an offense. We knew there were issues but did not know what. It was a punch in the gut, because they were not just a part of the church and leadership team, but they are also family.

My husband and I were at breakfast and talking about it just being too hard, and we decided to quit. We were going to give it up. We had taken on a financial giant, in running the church, and were paying for it personally, as the church did not have the funds to meet the needs. Not even five minutes after the agreement to quit came a phone call from a very trusted leader in our life. “God said, don’t quit.” Someone hundreds of miles away, not knowing the situation we were in, and God told him to tell us not to quit.

Daniel 7:25a (AMP)  He will speak words against the Most High [God] and wear down the saints of the Most High

The enemy wants to wear us down. I have to tell you, he has been busy at work lately. However, I put it together. He does not have a new trick, he wants to use the same ones and he will do them around the same time. Just like the seasons are there, so are the enemy’s schemes. This time of year again, I have been in a battle to not quit. He does it through the avenue of wearing us down. I have had two instances in the past two weeks of having to love through the hurts. Praying not to take an offense, to not take account of a suffered wrong, to not allow how others treat me determine how they treat them. Why? I am deeply loved and rooted and grounded in the love of Christ.

Did I have a moment to entertain what it would be like to quit? Yes. I imagined what it would be like and I grieved. I grieved because those thoughts were not full of faith. I had to cast them down and repent.

1 Corinthians 9:16-19 (AMP) For if I [merely] preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am compelled [that is, absolutely obligated to do it]. Woe to me if I do not preach the good news [of salvation]! For if I do this work of my own free will, then I have a reward; but if it is not of my will [but by God’s choosing], I have been entrusted with a [sacred] stewardship. What then is my reward? [Just this:] that, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge [to everyone], so as not to take advantage of my rights [as a preacher and apostle] in [preaching] the gospel. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I may win more [for Christ]. 

I have heard it stated that when it comes to quitting church attendance, “my life is so much better.” When I imagined life without it, my heart ached. I cannot quit. Woe, is a word of grief. I have grieved because I have a deep love for people. I desire them to grow closer and deeper in this love that Christ has for us. I grieve when self wins over the life He desires for us.

Why do you think I have been challenged lately? I know. Just a couple of weeks ago I praised God for answered prayers. I encouraged you all to be patient in the waiting, but to also be faithful in what He has called you to right now. Don’t rush the solution, was a praise report of the faithfulness of our God. The enemy hates our praise. He wants to shut it down. Do not settle in for a pity party. Get you some confetti and start a praise party.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (AMP) So then, let us [who minister] be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards (trustees, administrators) of the mysteries of God [that He chooses to reveal]. In this case, moreover, it is required [as essential and demanded] of stewards that one be found faithful and trustworthy.

Faithfulness is one of the fruits of the spirit. I will not be very good at producing this fruit if I am not rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. I want to be trustworthy. I am reading Daniel and some of the things God revealed to him were because he was trustworthy.

Daniel 10:19 (AMP) He said, “O man, highly regarded and greatly beloved, do not be afraid. Peace be to you; take courage and be strong.” Now when he had spoken to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

The Lord has strengthened me. I am persevering in this time and looking forward to what lies ahead. I desire all that God wants for us in this life. The part that wants to quit, is a part of me that is still living and against the new life in Christ. I am asking the Holy Spirit to search within me. Reveal the areas that are broken and put them back together. I do not want to be deadened to what He calls glorious, His church. I am pressing forward. So here is a prayer I took from Habakkuk:

Creator, Abba, Father You are Holy. You are worthy of all Honor and Praise. Thank You for Your Son and the gift of the Holy Spirit. As with Habakkuk, though there seems to little fruit yielded and it is hard to see the blossoms, what has yielded looks to fall dead to the ground and rotted. We choose to focus on what has bloomed. We repent for making it all about us and self-focus. We choose to focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. We choose to rejoice in the Lord. We choose to shout in exultation in the victorious God of my salvation! The Lord God is our strength, our source of courage, our invincible army. He has made our feet steady and sure like hinds’ feet and makes us walk forward with spiritual confidence on the high places, of challenge and responsibility. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

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Faithful (Loved) or Lazy (Selfish)

Matthew 25:21 (AMP) His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’

This is one of my daily prayers: ‘Lord, let me be a good steward today with everything that you have placed in my hands.’ I want to honor God with everything that I do and say. Most of that has to do with the value I put on the people and things that are presented before me. Do I love them more or less than God? I have to love God more. One of the things I have learned is that we have misunderstood what the love of God means, and we become selfish. One such story of not understanding the love of God is found in the parable of the talents. The man that received the one talent in this parable buried it.

Matthew 25:24-25 (AMP) “The one who had received one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a harsh and demanding man, reaping [the harvest] where you did not sow and gathering where you did not scatter seed. So I was afraid [to lose the talent], and I went and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is your own.’

From what we know about Jesus, does this match His nature? Did this servant know the true heart of who He was serving? Would the Master have put it in the servant’s care if He did not trust him?

Matthew 25:26-30 (AMP) “But his master answered him, ‘You wicked, lazy servant, you knew that I reap [the harvest] where I did not sow and gather where I did not scatter seed. Then you ought to have put my money with the bankers, and at my return I would have received my money back with interest. So take the talent away from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ “For to everyone who has [and values his blessings and gifts from God, and has used them wisely], more will be given, and [he will be richly supplied so that] he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have [because he has ignored or disregarded his blessings and gifts from God], even what he does have will be taken away. And throw out the worthless servant into the outer darkness; in that place [of grief and torment] there will be weeping [over sorrow and pain] and grinding of teeth [over distress and anger].

There were two responses:1) “You were faithful.” 2) “You were lazy.” The Greek word for lazy is okneros, defined as to delay, slow, tardy, slothful, lazy. Another terminology defines it as, “pertaining to shrinking from or hesitating to engage in something worthwhile, possibly implying lack of ambition.” Rick Renner says about okneros, “It carries the idea of a person who has a do-nothing, lethargic, lackadaisical, apathetic, indifferent, lukewarm attitude toward life.” It is hard to be faithful when you do not know your worth. This is why it is so important that we seek God as our vital necessity. This is cultivating a relationship with Him.

Did the third servant lack anything to perform the way the others did? Their strong hold was their mind. Love is a powerful force. When you know who you are in Christ there is no holding you back from seeing your talents and gifts as valuable to what they were given to you for. You will start seeking out ways to glorify Him through them. Keeping your focus on Him and not them.

2 Peter 1:3 (AMP) For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 

Ephesians 6:10 (AMP) In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. 

Ephesians 6:10 (TPT): “Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last. Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the force of explosive power flowing in and through you.”

This word “strong” is an explosive power that has been deposited within us as a vessel. God is the giver, and we are the receptacles into which this power is deposited.

Ephesians 1:19 (AMP) and [so that you will begin to know] what the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His [active, spiritual] power is in us who believe. 

This is real power. A demonstrated power that raised Jesus from the dead that now lives in you. Here is the best part, it is backed by His might. It is backed by His strong hand, like He is the body builder with the great big muscles backing us up. This makes me feel wrapped in His love even more. One last thing. This will put a balance check in our why. We are backed by His power. We can do and still have pride, which will totally make it wrong. My stewardship has nothing to do with me and all to do with Him.

Philippians 2:3 (AMP) Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves.

I am deeply loved, but so are you. My gift and talent are not more important than anyone else’s. Actually, it is not mine; it is His, it was given to me to manage. I want to steward well and that means I also must love well. Good and faithful has to do with how I value what He values. The most precious gift that He gave me is my salvation, my new life in Christ. Which means I am now a minister of reconciliation (2Corinthains 5:18). My gifts and talents were meant for this ministry (ministry of reconciliation), not “MY MINISTRY”. When selfishness sets in, we have become like the person with one talent and buried it. We have buried it in self.

I know the title of this blog will get a lot of passes, but if you read through, I pray you hear my heart. I want you to be in freedom and understand the dynamic love Christ has for you. It is through that love that we have been given everything needed for this dynamic spiritual life in Christ. When we surrender to that freedom, we live bigger lives than we could have ever dreamed of for ourselves (Ephesians 3:20). It is all for His glory. I want to hear “well done good and faithful servant.”

Adonai, our Jehovah, our Rock, You are Marvelous and Wonderful. Your Glory is what we seek. Thank you for Your Son, to be our Salvation. Thank You for the Holy Spirit to be our Teacher. Thank You for Your Word to be the Light in our lives. We repent for making decisions on our talents and gifts based on how we feel or how we want to be seen. All of it is for You and should be done with You. Jesus came so that we can have a dynamic spiritual life, and that takes surrender. We choose a life of surrender. We choose faithfulness instead of laziness. We choose to give of ourselves freely instead of holding onto what cannot last forever. You are our eternity. You are our mighty fortress. You are our strength. You are Holy. We are deeply loved by You. Let all that You put in our path be for Your glory. Let us be good stewards with whatever we have been given today. We choose peace today. We choose joy today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Do not rush the solution

Psalms 16:5 (AMP) The Lord is the portion of my inheritance, my cup [He is all I need]; You support my lot.

I am a stay-at-home mom to a twenty-one-year-old and a seventeen-year-old. That transition happened for me nearly seven years ago. The reason this is the season I am in is because my husband is BI-vocational pastor, as he works at a manufacturing plant for our income. He leads but I am his helper and am referred to as co-pastor. This works for us, because I know his heart and we trust each other. Being helper is not that I am less than, nor does it mean I take on his role. In Hebrew, the word for “helper” used in Genesis 2:18 and 20 is ezer, it means strong support and powerful rescue.

What happens when trust is not in a marriage? What happens when trust is broken? What happens when you want to keep secrets from each other? The Word says that any household divided against itself will not stand (Matthew 12:25). It takes both of us to have a strong marriage. It is the most important covenant that God ordained other than our new life with Christ.

I have quite of few responsibilities that I have taken on so that my husband does not have to worry about them. One of them is managing the business aspect of running the church. I have accountabilities put in place with board members and I seek council before major changes occur. Anything that my husband wants done I have a great support group that helps me with implementing things. That includes managing the church calendar. I also make sure to surround myself with those who seek the best for others, and not just for a particular group, when seeking counsel.

I recently had three big things on my plate to take care of. One thing to know is that we are not going at anything alone. Do not be rushed, but do not be lazy. I dedicated some time to each item each day. Above all, I sought wisdom from the Lord. I am also keeping my husband informed but not overwhelming him with the mundane. When I got to a place that I could not do on my own, I did not push, I waited. I listened. I did not become impatient. Patience has a lot to do with our attitudes in the waiting. God will even empower those we are meant to do life with for the next portion.

Isaiah 25:9 (AMP) It will be said in that day, “Indeed, this is our God for whom we have waited that He would save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us shout for joy and rejoice in His salvation.”

This has been such a shift of peace in my life. I am in awe of how God works things out behind the scenes. I tell Him of what I am trying to accomplish. I do not stop doing my research, but I do not make the next move until my mind has become clear. What happens when we know things need to be done, but we do them in haste? We make mistakes. We can become easily irritated. We can even take on offense easier. This is something I had to grow in. I am growing in it because I have become rooted and grounded in His love. Knowledge of the Word without application of the Word is not doing much transformation. I want to be transformed. Here are two scriptures to get your mind around:

Lamentations 3:20-26 (AMP) My soul continually remembers them and is bowed down within me.
But this I call to mind, therefore I have hope. It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great and beyond measure is Your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion and my inheritance,” says my soul; “Therefore I have hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, to those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word]. It is good that one waits quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Psalms 37:3-7 (AMP) Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him also and He will do it. He will make your righteousness [your pursuit of right standing with God] like the light, and your judgment like [the shining of] the noonday [sun]. Be still before the Lord; wait patiently for Him and entrust yourself to Him; do not fret (whine, agonize) because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.

Yesterday, we had movement in all three areas. It was an answer to prayer. Today, I was able to be productive because of the peace that God provided in the waiting. Through putting prayer of thanksgiving before I see the promise fulfilled. I am not rushing the solution to get there. I have to put my trust in God that He is working everything out, and I still have to do my part. There is not strife, there is no uneasiness, there is just peace. I continue to put Him first and foremost in my mind. We continue to seek the best for all those that are involved. We know where our trust lies. We are not in a rush; we want His solution at His time. There is peace in the waiting. Will problems arise? Yes, but I do not have to fret. My God is my portion. My God knew that this would happen. He has the solution, so do not rush it, be patient in the waiting. Do not get fixated on the issue, but on the God who sees the end from the beginning.

Abba, Father, our Portion, we value You before anything else in our lives. You are so Holy and Wonderful. Thank You for Your Son to bring us back to right standing with You. He has made us righteous through our faith in Him. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit to be our Teacher and Comforter. Thank You for the throne room of grace and mercy that we can be with You all day long. You are the God who sees and hears us. You are the God of our inheritance, because all we are is through You. We repent for trying to go at life on our own and in haste. Thank You for the promise of the wait and to be still in You, that You speak to us in the Peace. We put our trust and our confidence in You that You are working all things out. You know the end from the beginning. Any problem that arises can be resolved. We choose to wait. We choose to forgive. We choose hope today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Position of Salvation

Ephesians 6:17 (AMP) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

A few months ago, on Mother’s Day, I got to share a message titled “Love is a Weapon.” I had no idea of how much a controversial title that would be on social media. Whether we want to admit it or not, we have seen love used as a weapon for manipulative reasons. However, when we redeem love as God intended and put in on as our garment, the weapons of our warfare fit better. I shared about two such pieces and I would like to share them with you as well. When studying for this message I was in a verse by verse read of Ephesians. I used my Bible, google search and Sparkling Gems from the Greek by Rick Renner.

The helmet, that a Roman soldier wore, was fitted to their head specifically. It was heavy, but it was ornate. Highly decorated and looked like a piece of art. Your salvation is the most gorgeous, most intricate, most elaborate, most ornate gift God had ever given you. When we walk confidently in the salvation given to us, we are a noticeable individual. If your salvation is not worn tightly around your mind like a helmet, the enemy will come to chop the multiple blessing of your salvation right out of your faith. The enemy will try to hack away at your foundation, telling you that healing, deliverance and soundness of mind were not really part of Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross. By the time the enemy is finished with your mind, the only blessing he will leave you with is the promise of Heaven. What all does my salvation receive?

Isaiah 61:1 (AMP) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me to bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [the wounds of] the brokenhearted, to proclaim release [from confinement and condemnation] to the [physical and spiritual] captives and freedom to prisoners

This was the very scroll that Jesus read in the temple as told in Luke. The good news is that we have been set free as spiritual captives. We are no longer prisoners of sin and death. We are a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). One of the prisons that likes to come around again is the thoughts of rejection or not being wanted. I have recognized the cycles that the enemy likes to go through to try to trick me into being locked inside of it again. I am secure because I am rooted and grounded in the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:16-19).

Before I get to the Sword of the Spirit, our only offensive weapon, I want to share with you something I learned about the threshing floor. In 2 Samuel 25, King David purchased a threshing floor to build an altar to the Lord. It was located on Mount Moriah and later became the site for the Temple. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What is the significance?

A threshing floor serves as a platform for separating grains from the outer husks or chaff. The process involves beating the harvested crop, typically wheat or other grains, with wooden flails or using animals such as oxen to trample over the crop. This action loosens the edible part of the grain, known as the kernel. The weight of the animals or the flailing action typically breaks the hard outer protective layer of the crop, exposing the kernels. The next step involves tossing the crop into the air, allowing the wind to carry away the lighter chaff while the heavier kernels fall back to the ground. The threshing floor grounds collect these kernels for further processing or storage. (google)

A type and shadow of what Jesus did for us is seen in the story of Boaz redeeming Ruth as she submitted herself at his feet on the threshing floor (Ruth 3:6-13). When we accept Christ as Savior that is not the end of our story. There is a refining process, and it takes as long as it takes. We are in a process of purification. We are made righteous through His righteousness, but that also takes surrender. It takes dying to ourselves (Romans 6:8).

Let’s look at the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. The sword in combat is not the same as the sword used in training. Roman soldiers practiced the art of warfare continually with daily sword practice. The two-edged sword was not used for battle but for practice. It built strength with its weight.

Hebrews 4:12 (AMP) For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The logos (written word) must become rhema (revelation word), so that you can give a heavy blow to defeat the enemy. Training is reading and meditating on the Word daily. Why wait to go to the Word when you are in the battle? Why are we not meditating on it daily knowing the battle is coming. We have mini battles every day. We have to choose what thoughts we allow to feed us daily. I have to choose whether I go down the rabbit trail of why’s or stand on the truth of God’s Word.

The sword used in close combat is called a machura – it caused the victim horrid pain. The tip was turned upward, sometimes twisted like a corkscrew, shredding the insides as it was removed. The Spirit will place a razor-sharp sword at your disposal anytime the enemy gets too close. The sword’s power will be available the moment the Spirit quickens and a specific word for the specific situation you are facing. However, it has to have a reserve to pull from. This is the weapon that Jesus used in the wilderness, it is used for close combat.

Matthew 4:1-4 (AMP) Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights, He became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”

What is the thing the enemy has been tempting you with lately? What is the lie that he is trying to tell you? In the garden he said, “surely, you would not die (Genesis 3:4).” One of the lies is that we have to protect ourselves and trust no one. Yes, there are those out there that will try to do us harm, but they have believed the same lie. They want to protect themselves. This will put up a wall to not let others get too close. I have been very active about not allowing this to happen. I will make that phone call instead of hiding behind text. I will have the face-to-face conversations instead of text to set a tone. I do text, it is very handy, but I do not want to hide there. I want to think the best of others. I do not want to take an offense. I do not want to repeat a suffered wrong. I do not want anything to take me from the position of living loved in Christ. I want the same for you. Stand firm in your position of salvation. Live Loved.

1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8 (AMP) So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]. But since we [believers] belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope and confident assurance of salvation. 

Abba, Father, Jehovah Nissi, You are more precious that jewels. You are Holy and deserve all of our worship. Thank You for Your Son, the Word made flesh, our Redeemer. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, so that Your Word can become alive in us. We thank you for the Love that You gave with Your Son and that now we can dwell in on a daily basis. We repent for allowing the lies of the enemy to twist what Your salvation truly means to us. We thank You for the freedom from sin, guilt and shame. We thank You for the ability to walk in right standing before You. As we read Your Word and implant it into our hearts, bring it back to remembrance at the times the enemy wants to try to steal it away. We are root and grounded in Your love. We are victorious through Your strength. We choose forgiveness today. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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I do not have to live like this

Galatians 2:20 (AMP) I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Currently I am going through a line-by-line study of the book of Galatians. If you use the YouVersion App there are so many tools available to help with your study. When reading in the New King James Version it gave me a list of accompanying verses to look up. I was amazed at how many times Paul wrote about us being crucified with Christ.

Romans 6:6 (AMP) We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin.

Romans 6:8-11 (AMP) Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live [together] with Him, because we know [the self-evident truth] that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has power over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin [ending its power and paying the sinner’s debt] once and for all; and the life that He lives, He lives to [glorify] God [in unbroken fellowship with Him]. Even so, consider yourselves to be dead to sin [and your relationship to it broken], but alive to God [in unbroken fellowship with Him] in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:4-6 (AMP)  But God, being [so very] rich in mercy, because of His great and wonderful love with which He loved us, even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment). And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus

Colossians 3:1-4 (AMP) Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Ephesians 5:2 (AMP) and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

We no longer have to go through the motions of life. What I keep my mind focused on will determine how I feel that day. I choose to focus on the good, not saying there are not problems and trials that will come, but I choose to focus on the good. When we look ahead and think of all the things that can go wrong, what are we putting our trust in? I love reading verses like this. I am no longer a dead being walking this earth (my spirit man is alive). I do not have to go through the endless cycles that lead to being unfulfilled any longer. I am not waiting for something to happen for my happiness. I have everything I could every want now because of Christ.

I do not have to live any certain way anymore. The old way of fulfillment has been done away with. I am secure in Christ. Being crucified with Christ means that I get to walk in freedom. Condemnation comes because our flesh is wanting to defend itself. Conviction comes because the Holy Spirit is alive and is changing me from within. I have died with Christ so that my flesh can no longer rule. I do not have to live in fight mode any longer. I do not have to live in defense mode with those that I am supposed to do life with. I can live in peace and joy. I can have stability in my life. I can live a life of surrender, because that is how Christ lived.

John 14:20 (AMP) On that day [when that time comes] you will know for yourselves that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you.

Christ in me. The Passion translation has Galatians 2:20 as this, “My old identity has been crucified with Christ and no longer lives. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives His life through me – we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that He gave Himself for me, dispensing HIs life into mine!” I am not trying to live anymore for myself. I am living this life in Him. I had asked God ‘how can we live our lives worthy of this calling?’ He gave me Ephesians 4:2-3, “with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love. Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful].” The possibility of all of this is because we have died with Christ. If we try to do this in our own selves, we will fail time and again and live lives frustrated and unfulfilled. We do not have to live that way.

Father, Adonai, Jehovah, You are so Marvelous and Wonderful. You are Holy and full of Majesty. Thank You for Your Son, we have died with Him so that we may live with Him as well. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, Your voice, our Teacher and Comforter. Thank You for Your Word. We choose to eat of it daily so that we are empowered to fight for the battles of our mind. We repent for living lives with emptiness and looking for other ways to fill our every need. We are choosing to see our identity in Christ and the fullness that He brings. We are choosing to not take on the dead things any longer. We can choose to think differently of others and our situations. You want us full of joy, so we choose joy today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.