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Word for the Year: Joy

John 15:9-11 (AMP)  I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. If you keep My commandments and obey My teaching, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. I have told you these things so that My joy and delight may be in you, and that your joy may be made full and complete and overflowing.

I tend to be joyful person. I have been through some trials in life, and I have been known to complain when it did happen thinking that I had a sympathetic ear. I have learned to not because some people used it against me. If you do not know this about me, my husband and I took over as the pastors of our church about thirteen years ago. Before that we served as associate and assistant pastors at the same church for nearly thirteen years. This has apparently given license for people to correct me from those that I submit to and those that I serve. I have had comments from “I love to see you serve me,” to “you are going to hell.” Then there are those that weaponize my words or actions, just to see me get corrected yet again. I have been hurt by people like you would not believe, but yet I am still here.

So, when God gave me the word “joy” for 2026 my first thought was “what is going to happen now?” The first book in the Bible I read for this year was Habakkuk. We ended 2026 in our church with not very good attendance, but deeper growth for those that wanted it and better giving. We ended 2026 not in a new building, as we had hoped for all year long, and now entering year seven in someone else’s building. We even got really close the last month of the year. So, I cried out to God, why? That is when I got the word “joy.” Habakkuk starts off in chapter one with, “O Lord, how long will I call for help and You will not hear?” When we have doubts about His goodness, He is still faithful. I read this book over and over again for a full week. God said He would show up in a mighty way. God told Habakkuk it would get worse before it got better. Yet Habakkuk responded in faith.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (AMP) Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds’ feet and makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility].

With every time correction has come into my life, I have checked it against the Word. When it lines up with His Word, I accept it gladly. It is a discipline from the Lord. He will help me change this within me. One thing I never did was bite back or disrespect the person it came from, even when malice was intended for me. I am grateful for the people that allow me to speak into their lives. I have learned from experience what it means to genuinely care for others. If we are afraid of correction, then we are missing out on something that is necessary for our spiritual maturity. There are so many babies still in the body of Christ because people are not allowing Word of God, the fivefold ministry and the body of Christ to do what they were given as gifts for.

The next book I read was Philippians. Paul is in prison, literally chained to a person that was guarding him, writing this letter. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Happiness depends on our circumstances. Joy depends on our relationship with Christ. Paul had a confident assurance of God’s love and work in his life and the life of fellow believers. The secret to joy is grounded in our relationship with Christ. There are some that say, “I have lost my joy.” Have you lost Christ? Look back at John 15. Jesus is telling us the importance of our abiding in Him (our relationship with Christ). It all goes back to love. The real reason we have lost our joy, is because we have become self-involved. We look out for our own self-interests. We start asking “what about me?” We can have joy, even in hardships. Joy does not come from our circumstances. We are not to rely on what we have or what we experience to give us joy, but Christ within us.

Philippians 2:1-5 (AMP) Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose [and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ]. 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. Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]

It is the confidence I have in Christ that I know that people have a problem with. It grieves me to know that what they most want they can have too. What is limiting others from attaining such? Not that I have arrived myself, it is to surrender more. I am pressing on. I will continue to press on. It is when we give up or find something else to get our identity in that we become stagnant in our spiritual growth. I desire for growth in all of His body. It is hard to watch people “lose their joy” yet with not receive the gift that will point them back to their dependency of Christ.

Which brings me to the third book of the Bible that I have read this year, Nehemiah. Being in leadership I have heard gripers and complainers or what our church needs to do, what we do not have that meets their needs and so forth. It is easy to sit back and analyze and talk about the problems that you see. Instead of gathering people to discuss, be like Nehemiah and pray then act. Nehemiah saw a problem, was distressed about it, didn’t complain about it, not wallow in self-pity about it, he took action. Nehemiah became a person who God could count on. He did not even allow the people who were giving false reports to distract him. He did not allow the ones who did not participate in the rebuilding get him discouraged (I need to work on that one myself). He not only rebuilt walls but wanted to align the people back to the heart of God. They spent days listening, being taught and implementing what they heard from the prophet Ezra as he read them the law. God does not want our actions without our faith. This is the book that we get “the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10).” Another thing I got from Nehemiah is the importance of our praise and thanksgiving. I want to start off my closing prayer with what is written in Nehemiah 9: 6. Pray this prayer with me and add it what you are most thankful for.

You are the Lord, You alone; You have made the heavens, the heaven of heavens with all their host (the heavenly bodies), the earth and everything that is on it, the seas and everything that is in them. You give life to all of them, and the heavenly host is bowing down [in worship] to You. Jesus, Your Son, was with You at the time of Creation. We were created through Him and for Him. You sent Him in fullness of Love to die for our transgressions. You have forgiven us of our inequities and we in turn at to forgive others. We repent for not forgiving as you commanded. You gave us the gift of Your Holy Spirit. You gave us this gift to mature us and grow us. You also gave us the gift of the fivefold ministry and the body of Christ. Your desire has always been that we would work together to mature into a glorious Body. We thank You for desiring so much for our lives. We thank You that You desire for us to be full of joy and peace. Thank in our submission to self-control empowered by You we are secure in who we are in Your Son. You are forgiving, gracious and compassionate and abounding in love. You will never leave us nor forsake us. Even though hardships may come upon us, even persecution, You remain faithful. You are patient and keep your covenant of love. We love you. We choose to remain in Your Son. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Fourth Quarter Reads of 2025

2 Timothy 2:15 (AMP) Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.

We are already a few weeks into 2026 and I am just now getting around to summing up the last quarter reads of 2025. I have been spending time with my immediate family, as everyone was home for most of the day. When they are home, I do not like to lock myself in my office and write. I do continue to read, but not nearly as much as when the house is empty. In the last quarter of 2025 I finished reading through the Bible, Romans through Revelations. I was done by the end of November and took the first days of December to read a chapter a day of Luke. The last week of 2025 I read Habakkuk in its entirety daily. There is something that God showed me and I will hopefully write on it next week.

The one phrase that stood out to me as I was finishing with Revelations was, “He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.” I wrote about it in my blog titled Echo. I did complete 100 Bible Verses that Made America by Robert J. Morgan as a devotional. It was very eye opening to me about the founding of our universities and their beginnings as seminaries. There was one that really stood out to me were the Four Chaplains that gave their lives aboard the Dorchester on February 3, 1943. They were all from different denominations but held the same heart, “No one has greater love [nor stronger commitment] than to lay down his own life for his friends, John 15:13).” They gave everything including their life vests, books and clothes to make sure all survived, even though they lost their own lives. They gave their lives without being asked. This is the life that I aspire to live.

I also read nine books. Some I purchased at yard sales and at thrift stores recently. Bringing my yearly total to 47 books read. Here is list of my fourth quarter reads (I will write about two of them):

  • The Case for the Creator by Lee Strobel
  • Fight Back with Joy by Margaret Feinberg
  • Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala
  • Let Earth Receive Her King by Alistar Begg
  • Beyond Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson
  • The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
  • I His Image by Jen Wilkin
  • The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
  • Healing the Wounds of Rejection by Joyce Meyer and Ginger Stache

Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala. I picked this book up at a yard sale recently. It was an encouraging book about the importance of a church that puts prayer as their priority. It is a church with a surrendered heart that the Holy Spirit dwells. “The first step in spiritual awakening is demolition. We cannot make headway in seeking God without first tearing down the accumulation junk in our souls. Rationalizing has to cease. We have to start seeing the sinful debris we hadn’t noticed before, which is what holds back the blessings of God.“”Anytime the people get hungry to truly know the Lord, the Holy Spirit quickly puts a shovel and into their hands.” We are going to be willing for God to deal with our deep-rooted issues. A truly humble church is a powerful church. Are we passionate about what He is passionate for. Jesus said that His house should be known as a house of prayer. We currently do not have our own building, or we would have the doors open more that they are. Currently we meet on Tuesdays at eleven for prayer and Sundays we invite people to come in pray at twelve thirty as our service is at one thirty. The American church is all about comfort and convenience, yet He is the same God that said, “and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).” What are we passionate about? Brooklyn Tabernacle were passionate about prayer and surrender. We know them because of their choir. Reading some of the stories of change in that city because of this pastor and the heart of prayer that they have. It encouraged me to continue.

In HIs Image: 10 Ways God Calls Us to Reflect His Character: By Jen Wilkinson. Have you ever asked the question: I want to know God’s will for my life? “If we focus on our actions without addressing our hearts, we may end up merely as better behaved lovers of self.” Jen takes ten attributes of God and had us reflect if we can see those in our own character. They are Holy, Loving, Good, Just, Merciful, Gracious, Faithful, Patient, Truthful and Wise. Do you see the possibility for you reflecting Him in all that He is? First and foremost, God is Holy. “If we emphasize any of his attributes above or apart from his holiness, we fashion him after our own imagining or for our own ends.” You do not have to be conformed to who you were. We are conformed to His image, we are to reborn, remade, reformed. Understand your positional holiness and you will want to pursue practical holiness. God our most loving is the hardest part for people to grasp. His love is not transactional. His love is not conditional. “When we begin to follow Christ, we resolve to love God even if it costs us. And it costs us -it costs our pride, our comfort, our self-will, our self-sufficiency. At times, it costs us amicable relationships with family, our expectations of safety, and more. But in laying these aside, we learn the worthiness of the object of love in a deeper way. We find increasing freedom, and as we mature, we resolve to love God no matter what it costs us. When we begin to follow Christ, we resolve to love our neighbor even if it costs us. And it costs us – it costs us our preferences, our time, our financial resources, our entitlement, our stereotypes.” It is such a good book that I am adding it to my pile to read again in 2026.

I write these blogs on books to encourage you to read. First and foremost, pick up your Bible and read it daily. I am reading a new study Bible this year and so I am reading a chapter at a time. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His heart to you as you read. Do you get bored reading the Bible? Ask God to help you with that. For years, I didn’t read just read my Bible, only focusing on the verses that went along with my devotions. But my desire to surrender led me to pick up the Bible and truly read it. It became part of my journey to seek more. I have no regrets, and neither will you.

This Sunday I have decided to give away some of my books. Something I have not done. However, holding onto them only benefits me. God had told us to be generous with all that we have. So, I have set aside a box and will be taking them to church for others to do with their liking. I pray that you have a blessed 2026!

Books completed in 2025

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He is our Everything

Isaiah 9: 6 (AMP) For to us a Child shall be born, to us a Son shall be given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I want to encourage you to you are and not try to be someone’s everything. First, I want to show you who Jesus is.

Wonderful Counselor: A king’s wisdom often came from the counselors they surrounded themselves with. A wise ruler knows they can’t possibly know everything, so they rely on trusted advisors for guidance. But Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor—His wisdom is perfect. He never made a mistake, never had to guess the right path. His way is always flawless.

Mighty God: He had the ability to carry out the perfect plan. Christ’s authority is everlasting, and He reigns as Lord over all creation.

John 1:1-4 (AMP) In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was [continually existing] in the beginning [co-eternally] with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being.

Yet, He became a man, just as human as you and I.

Everlasting Father: This isn’t about the first person of the Trinity. Jesus is like a perfect father to His people, bringing us into His family and holding us forever. “Everlasting” doesn’t just mean eternal—it speaks to the never-ending care He has for us. There will never be a moment or a single day when the Lord of creation doesn’t love you. He is, in every way, a perfect father.

Prince of Peace: Sin ruined so much for us, but Jesus was the only one who could end the separation between us and God. He bridged the gap, taking our place for the sins we committed. He loved us enough to willingly make that sacrifice, despite our flaws. True peace and prosperity don’t come from personal achievements or setting goals to become a better person next year—they come from fully embracing Christ.

Without Jesus, having everything still means we have nothing.

John 15:5 (AMP) I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.

I have been meditating on Jesus being our everything. Then this revelation came to me: I am somebody. He is our Everything. When the somebody tries to take the role of our Everything we are out of order and chaos enters our lives. This is when we open the door for offense, resentment and strife. It is when I am content with being a somebody that I am full of joy and then I can offer others grace, mercy, forgiveness and even peace.

I am meant to be a branch, not someone else’s’ root. He is our Everything. When we stop trying to be everything then our Prince of Peace can take his rightful place in our hearts. Strongholds can be broken. I do not have to go through the cycles of happy, disappointment, depression and resentment. My joy is found in the Lord. Insecurities flee and I am content in being a someone not their everything.

This Christmas remember He is our Savior and you are not. Us being a someone should point others to the One who was, is and always will be our Everything. Take a step back and reflect on the why you are doing something. Who are we reflecting? Will this glorify God? I am praying for you.

God, our Creator, You are wonderful and holy, worthy of eternal glory and honor. Thank You for sending Your Son, our Marvelous Counselor, Everlasting Father, Mighty God, and Prince of Peace. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, our Teacher and Comforter, and for Your Word that helps us know You more. We repent for trying to take the place of savior in others’ lives and making everything revolve around our own happiness. You are our Everything. Shape our hearts to align with Your vision and plan and help us surrender to the roles You’ve truly called us to, as ministers of reconciliation. You alone deserve all glory and honor, and You are enthroned as the most important in our lives. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Preparation

Ephesians 6:15 (AMP) and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 

Preparation is something that we take for granted these days, especially in world where we do not like to wait. How about a world where everything revolves around self? I am a woman that likes to be prepared. Do you know when I prepare for birthdays and Christmas? Right after the last one ends. I know they will be coming around the same time every year. I am not in the stores right now looking for wrapping paper. I bought enough for my family and probably yours when it all went on sale right after Christmas.

Today I had a sweet mom and her two kids over to bake and decorate Christmas cookies. I have learned that I need to prepare when have littles over my house now. My boys are eighteen and twenty-one, so my home is no longer set up for babies and toddlers. One of the things I did, other than put items away, was I baked ahead of time half of the cookies we were going to decorate. The waiting is the hardest part when they are that young. I spent my morning preparing for them. I had them in mind when I set up my living room.

The preparation of the cookies was not just for my gifts to others; it was also a way for them to gift people as well. We made enough to share. That took preparation. I planned on them having all they needed. I planned on them having more than enough. Why? Is that not how our Father in Heaven is (Matthew 7:11)?

This time of year, is my favorite. I get to give in ways that are special to me. I search out opportunities for our church to bless others in our community. I love to bake, so there are lots of people that are going to get treats from me. I love to find treasures for others and let them know that I am thinking about them and listen to them.

Above all, I get to help prepare the special Christmas message for church. I have been meditating over it for weeks and have been talking to my husband about what the Bible reveals about Christ’s birth. What special piece does God want us to pay attention to this year? Last year we shared about it not just being a story. Christ’s birth is recorded in history. Everything that happened is not just a story, it really happened. The story of Christ’s birth is not a myth. This year, are we going to have ears to hear? There is a parable about preparation. I will end this blog with the parable. I hope you take a look and know that you are loved and that I want the best for you. The best was given on Christmas Day!

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.  Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come]. – Matthew 25:1-13 AMP

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Is it real?

Hebrews 4:14 (AMP)  Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior].

Do you know what brings me back from spiraling out? Do you know what I think on to bring me back from sitting in despair? This right here. I cling tenaciously to the absolute trust that Jesus is my Savior. Some may say that I have a “bulldog tenacity” but really, I know that I am truly loved in Christ. Read the rest of that verse because I want to show you a little something about stepping out daily knowing that the presence of God is not so far away, nor is it a formula of getting there. Also, what do you define as there?

Hebrews 4:15-16 (AMP)  For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].

Jesus understands, it does not give us a warrant to freely sin. Hebrews 10:26 says, “For if we go on willfully and deliberately sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice [to atone] for our sins [that is, no further offering to anticipate],” so do not take this grace out of context. I want to put this out there first and foremost because I am obligated to choose how I think. Need some more proof?

1 John 2:4-6 (AMP) Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself.

I am not to put on my Jesus costume, I am to allow Him to transform my character and nature. This is an inside out transformation and it takes surrender and trust. It is not overnight that this happens, transformation is a process (2 Corinthians 3:18). From reading any of this, would Jesus have allowed hurt to hinder forgiveness? Would He have kept Himself from serving? We He have allowed His mind to rehearse anything that was not true? Do you believe Jesus is real? Do you believe He did the hard stuff for us? If so, then what is hindering you from walking out your salvation? What is keeping you from going freely into the throne room of grace and mercy? I am not talking about a prayer closet experience. I am talking about living a life of God surrounds me, is within me, and has got me.

James 3:2 (AMP) For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].

I am not perfect. I have flaws. I make mistakes. The key is not to wallow in those flaws and mistakes. The answer is to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit within you to overcome them. Jesus overcame so we could overcome. The only perfect man is Jesus. I am not Sister Jesus; I am secure in who I am in Jesus. Can you decide to grow? Can you decide to help other imperfect people like me grow? I want to help the imperfect person like you are to grow. I want to let you know that the Perfect One gives me the privilege to stand in the throne room of His Presence. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19), individually and collectively. I take His Word as truth and really believe all that it says, so much so, that I choose to surrender areas of my life that did not line up with what it says we should be like. Is that extreme to you? Can I tell you that I forgive faster because of it? Would you like to hear about the joy in my life because of the surrender? I may be tenacious to some with my relationship with Jesus. He has made my life so big because of it (Ephesians 3:20). Will you just believe that it is real and walk in the freedom too?

I want to give you a little insight into what this looks like. It is not complicated. We have complicated this so much that we either quit or go into extreme grace, making everything about surrender null in our lives. I have lived under the umbrella of condemnation (my right to live how I sit fit). I had to choose to live a surrendered life. It was not easy at first, I have had to grow in this. This is what grace does. Grace empowers us to hold fast to the Word and allows the growth to happen. Stop trying to help the Word out by making excuses or quitting. Do you really want all that God said is yours through Christ Jesus? Do not stay chained in captivity when the keys to your bondage have already been given to you.

Can you see the throne room? Can you see the Majesty of who God is right where you are now? Can you feel the peace and joy permeating from the inside out? It is real, you are not imagining this. This is the life that He wants you to live. So live free through surrender!! It is real!

2 Corinthians 3:18 (AMP) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].

Father, Elohim, Creator and Lord, You are everything that is and will ever be. You are Holy. Today, we honor You through our worship. Thank You for sending Your Son to restore our relationship with You. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, who dwells within and among us. We are grateful for the throne room of grace and mercy, Jesus gave us the ability to stand free. We repent for the times we sought Your face only when we needed something. We seek not just Your blessings but You. We choose to love as You love, to see the best in others, and to live selflessly. We surrender our hearts and minds to You, desiring to offer our whole selves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing, as an act of worship. Through Jesus we can forgive freely and love deeply. We choose love today. We choose hope today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose joy today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Even Though, I Will

Genesis 15:6 (AMP) Then Abram believed in (affirmed, trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord; and He counted (credited) it to him as righteousness (doing right in regard to God and man).

A statement rung out in me yesterday as I was preparing to go into corporate prayer with my church. I heard, “We can know the Word and not have faith in the Word.” Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. Faith is required for righteousness. It is faith in Christ that we are made righteous. However, this faith only works by love.

2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

Galatians 5:6 (AMP) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith activated and expressed and working through love.

The church today has a faith problem. Why? Really, we have a love issue. We are looking at anything but the Word of God to define love. We have let the world define love to us. Love was sacrificed for us. There is so much knowledge available to us that we can reason away everything that is really promised to us. We will use our symptoms or our circumstances. Yet, the Bible gives an account such as,  “Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb. But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God, being fully convinced that God had the power to do what He had promised. Therefore his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God) (Romans 4:19-22 AMP). Even though, I will. That is what I am saying right now. Even though should not stop our obedience. Our obedience is the product of our righteousness, our faith, and I do not have to waiver in it because of my position of Love in Christ.

Our positional authority is because we have been rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. An “I can’t” response is not of faith, and it is not coming from a place of love. That may sound rough, but I tell you this truth in my love for you because I want you whole. I do not want you limping through life quoting scripture but not having faith in the power of Christ within you.

Ephesians 3:16-19 (AMP) May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality], so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, 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 you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

I want to see all that the Word tells about. I do not just want to read it and think that is a cool story. Do you really believe that is real? Do not just dream about it. Talk about it. Have an expectation about it. Encourage others in it. Faith works through love, but faith without works is dead. We cannot please God without faith. If faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26), then faith requires obedience to His Word. We can know the Word and not have faith in it, abstaining us from obedience. This is not what God called righteous. Remember, everything is permissible (1 Corinthians 6:12). We have been given free will. However, we can choose to say to God not our will, but His. Even though, I will.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are Holy and Marvelous. You are the Creator and Sustainer of all life. Thank you for sending Your Son, who embodied the fullness of who You are, making us whole through Him. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit, who reveals the depth of who You are and empowers us to understand the vastness of Your love. We repent for only having head knowledge and not believing in Your Word. We know that we please You with our faith. Through ongoing surrender, we will reflect on what it means to be fully Loved by You through Christ and our faith is found in that Love. We long for everyone to grasp the enormity of Christ’s love, which is incomprehensible without the Holy Spirit. Even though reports may say or circumstances look a certain way, we will choose obedience. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. We choose joy today. We choose love today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Gifts that Build

1 Corinthians 16:14 (AMP) Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

I just spent the last few days reading through first Corinthians. These books were written to the churches he had already been to. This book is one that is taught on when talking about the gifts of the spirit. When we receive Christ, we have all been gifted with salvation. It is free, we did not earn it, we receive it. This is a gift that we should be willing to encourage others to receive. This is called the ministry of reconciliation of which all of us are called into, once we receive Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (AMP) But all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ [making us acceptable to Him] and gave us the ministry of reconciliation [so that by our example we might bring others to Him], that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting people’s sins against them [but canceling them]. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation [that is, restoration to favor with God].

People want to know their purpose, their calling, what they were created for? You were created to glorify God. You were made in His image. You are to reflect Him. This takes surrender. What about gifts? When reading the list in first Corinthians twelve, one phrase jumped out at me, “Let all things be done for edification.” Why did God give the church gifts? Edification. Our gifts are not about us, they are for the body of Christ, for the edification of the body of Christ. Meaning, we are to build up each other for the unity of the gospel. Edification is not about being self-motivating not self-promotion. Actually, it is not about promoting an individual, it is about the whole body being built up into His temple.

Ephesians 4:16 (AMP) From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.

There is not a “me’ focus in any of this. Now, we do see in 1 Corinthians 12:31, “But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].” One of the gifts that people want, and even Paul tells us is one to desire, is the gift of prophecy. However, I do not believe He meant it in the way the church today has abused it. In context, this gift is not about just about foretelling the future, correcting leadership or reading someone’s mail. This is the supernatural ability to proclaim God’s will and truth to build up the church. It is primarily about speaking the message of God, through God’s Word. It is speaking directly to people in a way they can understand God’s Word. It is to help bring clarity to the Word of God. Even to the point of revealing inner motivations and bringing conviction and an awareness to God’s presence. They bring people to a place of true repentance so that we walk in humility.

If we are seeking a new revelation from God, as not revealed in His Word, then we are seeking something outside of God. We have fallen into idolatry. What about our imaginations? Yes, God gave us imaginations, but we are still responsible for bringing our thoughts in line with the Word of God. Does it really matter what I prophesy? We have been prophesied over, and a check was put immediately within because we knew it did not line up with God’s Word.

Jeremiah 23:16 (AMP) Thus says the Lord of hosts, “Do not listen to the words of the [false] prophets who prophesy to you. They are teaching you worthless things and are leading you into futility; They speak a vision of their own mind and imagination and not [truth] from the mouth of the Lord.

What is Paul talking about? He is talking about desiring to understand the Word of God so that you can talk about it with each other. Prophecy is for the edification of the body, just like all of the other gifts listed.

1 Corinthians 8:1b-3 (AMP) Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom]. If anyone imagines that he knows and understands anything [of divine matters, without love], he has not yet known as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].

At the heels of Paul talking about spiritual gifts he leads into love. The end of chapter twelve flows into it. What is the point in wanting all of these gifts if you do not know His love? They will never fulfill you. You are searching in the wrong place for your purpose. Get to know the God that loves you and start right where you are with the people He has called you with to grow in, for the edification of the body of Christ. Let everything be done in love, unselfish love.

Abba, Father, our Banner, You are so Worthy of our honor and our praise. You are Holy and Marvelous. Thank You for Your Son putting us back into right standing with You. Through Him we have been born again and created new. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, our Teacher and our Friend. Thank You for Your Word. We repent for seeking gifts to build up ourselves. We repent for only being a part of the body when it is self-serving and pleases us. We long to know You. You reveal Yourself to us in ways we could never have imagined for ourselves. We thank You for spiritual gifts, but above all we thank You for Your Love. Let us desire Your love above the gifts. Let us be trees of righteousness. You set the captives free not for us to look for anything to fulfill us other than You. We choose surrender today. We choose love today. We choose joy today. We choose forgiveness today. We choose hope today. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Third Quarter Reads of 2025

Philippians 1:9-11 (AMP) And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God [so that His glory may be both revealed and recognized].

The third quarter reads are still not as big as the first, but their content was very deep. I have counted and have already surpassed the number of books that I read last year. Along with my daily devotionals, I read chapters of the Bible at a time (sometimes up to five chapters). This quarter I read Jeremiah through the Book of Acts. If you have never read through the minor prophets in the Old Testament, I encourage you to do so. They really highlight the love that God has for His us. Now that I am reading the letters of Paul, they are something that I will probably read together next time as they have the same message to the church. Even in outright rebellion, He is looking and providing a way.

I did complete the 365 Daily Devotions from Psalms by Joyce Meyer, that I began last year. I also read ten books, four of which I purchased and read immediately (the books by John Bevere and Louie Giglio). I will give you an overview of three books, but here is my total list for this quarter:

  • The Treasure Principle: Discovering the Secret of Joyful Giving by Randy Alcorn
  • I am a Church Member by Thom S. Rainer
  • A Heart Ablaze: Igniting a Passion for God by John Bevere
  • Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender by Beth Moore
  • Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn
  • The Fear of the Lord: Discover the Key to Intimately Knowing God by John Bevere
  • Goliath Must Fall: Winning the Battle Against Your Giants by Louie Giglio
  • Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio
  • Just Open the Door: How One Invitation Can Change a Generation by Jen Schmidt
  • Change Your Words Change Your Life by Joyce Meyer

Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table by Louie Giglio was a book that I bought this year and read almost immediately. Louie takes the 23rd Psalm and pulls out the verse, “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” This is the position of this verse as looking at it from what we allow into our minds. How does God feed us? What is the Bread of Life that Jesus talked about? What we think on will affect us tremendously, not inviting the enemy to a seat at our table has to do with the battle of our minds. There are countless occurrences in the Bible of those who were faced with unfair trials physically and emotionally, from Shadrach, Meshack and Abendego to Paul and Silas. What did they keep before them? I read this verse in this book and when I go to it again in the Old Testament this quarter it has reminded me over and over to keep my focus on Him. When the enemy wants us to listen to lies of others not wanting to be a part or doing everything they can to sabotage, or just do not care about you, that will invite the enemy to your table. Anything that will distract you is the enemy at your table. Here is that verse: Though the fig tree does not blossom and there is no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive fails and the fields produce no food, though the flock is cut off from the fold and there are no cattle in the stalls, yet I will [choose to] rejoice in the Lord; I will [choose to] shout in exultation in the [victorious] God of my salvation! (Habakkuk 3:17-18) Even though…I will. That needs to be our stance. Not on the circumstance. I will still be joyful and glad because the Lord is my Savior.

A Heart Ablaze: Igniting a Passion for God by John Bevere. John Bevere is one of my favorite authors and speakers. If you have not downloaded their free app, Messenger X, I encourage you to do so. Podcasts, courses and books all right there ready for you to access, for free. This is my go to app at the gym. I picked up A Heart Ablaze and The Fear of the Lord at the same time. John uses the illustration of the Israelites coming out of Egypt in both books, but he gets really into the heart motives why God wants our hearts to be on fire for Him in A Heart Ablaze. There are many illustrations of how we want to live first place in our lives and call that God. Actually, it is little “g,” god. Here are some words from the chapter titled “Intentions or Desires?” “They had not separated themselves in their hearts from the world, which resulted in their inability to separate what was of the world and what was of God. If you desire both the world and the intimate knowledge of God, the image of God become distorted. You do not truly know Him; you know a different Jesus.” That is such a strong statement, “you know a different Jesus.” This is why it is so important that we check the rhema word (personal revelations) with the logos (the written Word of God). “Moses wanted God and would gladly pay any price to know Him. The children of Israel wanted what was best for them. If the benefit of walking in God’s ways was evident to their natural senses, they would gladly embrace it, but if it was not evident, they would gravitate toward what seemed best. To know God will always result in what is best for us, for God is perfect love. However, many times this knowledge will not be evident in the natural senses. Moses loved God for who He is; Israel loved God for what He could do for them. If what He was doing did not meet their desires, they moved toward what they deemed best.” This illustrates the church today; there is a dividing line. There are the true worshippers and there are those who profess Jesus, yet they are still self-seeking. Who do we want to be?

Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender by Beth Moore. This book published in 2000 and really digs deep of the importance of surrender to Christ. Nothing in it talks about self-importance, only that true healing comes from a place of surrender. I know that some may of cringed when you saw that I picked up a book by Beth Moore. I just did a shallow dive into what happened and hope that healing can come. Pride, as she talks about in this book, will only put us back into captivity. We have to take a stand against idolatry, and some of those can be our old belief systems. It is really important to read the Bible for yourself, and she says that over and over again. Her key verse is from Isaiah 61:1-3 “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, to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance and retribution of our God, to comfort all who mourn, to grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: to give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning], the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit. So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (AMP) This verse is one I have almost committed to memory; it has come across my readings so much. The book points back to the reason we have been set free, why it is important for us to break free from bondages. It is all for His glory. Pride does not glorify God; it seeks to glorify ourselves. Surrender is the key to our freedom. “Freedom and lordship are inseparable partners in the believer’s life.” “Freedom becomes reality when we yield to the authority of God.” A lot of times we want God to remove the temptations from our lives, that we do not want to have to struggle with them any longer. We want to forget about the suffering. He wants us to lean into Him more, not try more. “God will not release us from anything that enslaved us until we’ve come to the mind of Christ on the matter. We will not be free until we adopt the mind of Christ in the matter that has enslaved us.” “We will think with the mental language we practice the most.” Surrender starts in the mind. This book is 47 chapters, but I was able to read two to three chapters a day and enjoy it.

I am writing this blog about books to encourage you to read. First and foremost, pick up your Bible and read it daily. I am not asking you to start with five chapters, start with one. Start with five verses if you must but start. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His heart to you as you read. Do not skip over the minor prophets. God is not a God of wrath, but of grace and mercy. Yes, He is judge and He has come against the prideful. Humility is a position of the heart. We should not gloat at another’s misfortunes but should seek restoration. Jonah had an issue with that when God revoked the sentence on Ninevah because they turned their hearts back to God. Love always hopes. Obadiah is one chapter. Do you get bored reading the Bible? Ask God to help you with that. I went years without reading it and only doing the verses that accompanied my devotions. It was through my desire to surrender that I picked up the Bible to read. It was part of my quest to desire for more. I do not regret it, and you will not either.

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Now

John 17:3 (AMP) Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.

This verse jumped out at me the other day. “NOW this is eternal life.” That means that when we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we stepped into eternal life. We are a people that are looking to be satisfied. Will anything really satisfy us other than Jesus? What else could we be looking for?

We are being watched by those who do not know Christ that way. What are they hearing from us? Are they hearing us proclaim the Gospel? Or are they hearing us being divided on post tribulation or pretribulation rapture, the Sabbath is Saturday or Sunday, whether we have to celebrate all of the feasts. What does any of that have to do with eternal life?

Matthew 22:36-40 (AMP) “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” And Jesus replied to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Love God and Love People. That is what you will want to do when you accept the fullness of who God is. The enemy is pretty good at getting us distracted. He wants us to look anywhere other than keeping our eyes on Jesus. He would use things that should bring us closer together. It is our choice though. The devil has no authority in a born-again believer’s life.

Whenever I get in a conversation with someone about any topic, can be worldview, social, economic, my heart position is to bring it back to our position in Christ. Somehow that conversation is going to be led back to us being rooted and grounded in the Love of Christ. That is where peace is found. You cannot take away the joy of someone who has found peace. Go back to what Jesus proclaimed while reading Isaiah 61:1-3:

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,
To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance and retribution of our God,
To comfort all who mourn,
To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following:
To give them a turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning],
The oil of joy instead of mourning,
The garment [expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.
So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God],
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.

We are no longer captives. They keys of our bondage was taken by Jesus (Revelations 1:18). Those chains are there until we remove them (Isaiah 52:2). You have been raised up with Christ (Colossians 3:1-4). We have been called something new. We are now righteous through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). I believe this last part is why the enemy fights us in all of it, “That He may be glorified.” Does it glorify God?

What does it mean to be a tree of righteousness? Trees produce. We also call it the fruit of the Spirit. What if we looked at our fruit as not us having good morals, but at us being obedient. What does this have to do with eternity? This tells the world who we belong to. God is gloried when we exhibit who He is. Everything about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is a direct reflection of who we are in Him. This is how He is gloried!

Now is eternal life. If we are in Christ, then we are in it. There is a coming back, but I do not need to fear it if I remain in Him. Getting ready because Jesus is coming should not bring us to more division, it should bring us to unity. Love God. Love People. If you do not know how to do that in Your life, ask the Holy Spirit. He will reveal it to you as you read your Bibles. Turn off the news and turn off your favorite preaching videos and get in the Bible for yourself. Read all of it. Read it to know who God is, with Christ as our example and the Holy Spirit as our Teacher. Are you secure in your eternity today? If not, here is a prayer for you:

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I have sinned and strayed from Your will. I’ve lived selfishly, and for that, I am truly sorry. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness. I believe in Your sacrifice on the cross to save me, doing what I could never do for myself. I surrender my life to You now and ask for Your guidance. From this day on, help me to live each day in a way that honors You. I love You, Lord, and I am grateful for the promise of eternal life with You. 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.