Philippians 1:9 – “I continue to pray for your love to grow and increase beyond measure, BRINGING you into the rich revelation of spiritual insight IN ALL THINGS.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God, almost immediately, a liberating but challenging truth enveloped me. The Power, Purpose, Potential, and Produce (Fruit) of LOVE!

As Paul addressed the Philippian church, he described an interesting and revelatory prayer in Philippians 1:9.  That prayer is amazing and presents a troubling dimension to our daily lives. It is inspiring, challenging, and troubling all at the same time.

He continued in vv. 10-11 – “This (love) WILL enable you to choose the most excellent way of all – becoming pure and without offense until the unveiling of Christ. 11 AND you will be FILLED COMPLETELY with the fruits of righteousness THAT ARE FOUND IN JESUS, the Anointed One – bringing great praise and glory to God!”  [Emphasis Mine]

Wow!  What a promise, hope, aspiration, and goal. The Fruit of Love brings Rich Revelation and Spiritual Insight in All Things!    Love is a portal to God’s throne and heart.  Love is a portal to God’s wisdom.  Love is possibly the greatest weapon and armor we can have.

Do we love? Not superficially, but beyond measure? Are we Filled (overflowing) with the fruits of righteousness that are visible in Jesus?

In Philippians 2:1, Paul’s prayer is a little different. Before he prayed that they would be filled with this kind and depth of love here, he says

“You ARE FILLED to overflowing with His comforting love. You HAVE EXPERIENCED a deepening friendship with the Holy Spirit and HAVE FELT His tender affection and mercy!”  [Emphasis Mine]

LOVE is clearly our greatest need, second only to faith in Jesus!    How do we get and keep this Love? First, by full surrender to Jesus. Then, Philippians 4:6-9 details the pathway to tapping into and maintaining the overflow.

Be saturated in prayer. Pray with grateful hearts. Tell Jesus everything; hold nothing back. If the Holy Spirit is our friend and we have that level of relationship, he will guide our prayers.

Out of that pattern of life, the portal to peace opens, and the peace that transcends human understanding floods into our hearts. It is unshakeable. It sets up an impenetrable guard at our hearts and minds.

Then, decide to think with a fixed determination on “all that authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind. AND fasten your thoughts on EVERY GLORIOUS WORK OF GOD, praising Him ALWAYS!”  [Emphasis Mine]

Love, genuine self-sacrificing godly overflowing love, is our greatest provision and protection. Yet, too often, we resort to human definitions and demonstrations and suffer lack, disappointment, and short-change ourselves. God has a higher place than where most live for us.

I say, as Paul in Philippians 3:12 – “I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I am pursuing, BUT I run with passion into His abundance SO THAT I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me His own.”

God desires for us to experience and live continuously in His love and peace. There is incredible power and revelation there. That is my goal and the target of my prayer for you.

Have a fantastic day, and keep looking up. Your miracle is on the way!

Ephesians 1:7-8 – “Since we are now joined to Christ, we have been given the treasures of redemption by his blood—the total cancellation of our sins—all because of the cascading riches of his grace.  ⁸ This superabundant grace is already powerfully working in us, releasing all forms of wisdom and practical understanding.”

In Deuteronomy 31, Moses instructed the people to “Be strong and courageous.”   This directive is interesting and consistently indicates that it will be needed.

In Joshua 1:6, 7, and 9, God tells Joshua to “Be strong and courageous.” In v. 7, He adds, “Very courageous.” Three times in that short conversation, God said something that had to cause Joshua to wonder, “What am I about to encounter?”  Knowing God and fully trusting Him brings courage, peace, and confidence. It is a place too few fully grow into.

In Ephesians, the revelation letter of the New Testament regarding the fullness of Grace and its impact on our lives. Here, Paul enables us to understand that place God was inviting Joshua into.

In Ephesians 1, Paul prayed that God would “release” grace over them and “impart” total well-being into their lives.  He then informed them of their position, which was to become their condition. Ephesians 1:3, where he said that in God’s view, they had already been given Every Spiritual Blessing in the heavenly realm.  If that is true, and God can not lie, then why don’t we believe and live it?

In Ephesians 1:7, we have the Total Cancelation of our sins. In v. 8, through Grace, God is releasing All Forms of wisdom and practical understanding to us. Are we expecting, seeing, and demonstrating it?

Paul prayed an amazing prayer in Ephesians 1:18-19. He prayed that the light of God would illuminate the eyes of our imagination “until” we experience the Full Revelation of the Hope of His calling. He prayed that we would experience the immeasurable greatness of God’s power. The question I must ask “Is that a picture of where we are now in our daily walk?“

Ephesians 2:6 – “…for we are NOW co-seated as one with Christ.”  v.10 – “…we are joined to Jesus.”  Then we have the authority and power of Jesus IN US!

Ephesians 3:16-17 he prayed that God would unveil inside us the revelation of the Unlimited Riches of His Glory and Favor “until” supernatural strength floods our innermost being with His divine might and explosive power. Again, is that where we are living now?

In Ephesians 3:17, his prayer is that through the exercise of faith, the life of Jesus would be released Deep Inside Them. 

In Ephesians 3:20, we are overwhelmed with the revelation of God’s desire for us. God can and will do all this in us and do more than we can even hope.

We have the Promise and Commission, Provision, Protection, Power, Armor, Hope, and insight into God’s view of our position. It is time for us to believe, receive, and allow the Holy Spirit to remove the limited thinking pervasive in us and transform us into who He has made us!

We can be those who struggle or those who prevail. We can continue to make lap after lap around the mountain of doubt and difficulty, or we can press into the place of promise with God’s power. Can you see yourself as the believer Paul describes? If not, ask God to purge the limitations of your imagination and take the veil from your heart so you can. It is Who You Are. Why not be Who You Are?

Have a fantastic day, and allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to be who God says you are!  

Colossians 1:9 – “Since we first heard about you, we’ve kept you always in our prayers that you would receive the perfect knowledge of God’s pleasure over your lives, making you reservoirs of every kind of wisdom and spiritual understanding. “

My prayer for each of you today is that today will be a day of divine release and revelation that leads you into the next level of your journey. I ask that God’s divine power flow through you, altering situations miraculously and bringing peace to troubled hearts.

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, I saw a new vision or expanded vision of the Cross. I saw man’s perspective and God’s, and they are diametrically opposite.

In the Book of Joshua, Joshua asked, “How long will you delay in possessing your possession or promise?” This suggests that the timing of our entering our Place of Promise depends on us, but God has already decreed it.

In Colossians 1:5, part of Paul’s prayer was that as their faith and love grew, they would access all the treasures of their inheritance stored up in heaven. It is there waiting, but we have to access and appropriate it. We do that through faith and love.

In Colossians 1:9, he exploded my mind. He prayed that they would “receive the perfect knowledge of God’s pleasure over your lives, making you reservoirs of every kind of wisdom and spiritual understanding.”

Perfect or complete knowledge! Knowledge of what? God’s pleasure for their lives. That revelation would create the capacity for them to become reservoirs of every kind of wisdom and spiritual understanding. What is a reservoir? What is its purpose? What is the extent of its impact? We are God’s reservoirs! Let that sink in. It is who you are and what you are commissioned to be.

Colossians 1:20 – “And by the Blood of His Cross, EVERYTHING in heaven and earth is BROUGHT BACK to Himself – back to its original intent, restored to innocence again!”

Colossians 1:22b – “AND NOW there is NOTHING between you and Father God, FOR He SEES you as holy, flawless, and restored, IF INDEED you continue to advance in faith…”

God sees us through the finished work of the Cross, and we see ourselves through the flaws of flesh and the deception of the devil. Whose report are we going to believe? It will determine our present and future. The past is gone.!

Colossians 2:3 – “For our spiritual wealth is in Him, like hidden treasure waiting to be discovered – heaven’s wisdom and endless Riches of revelation knowledge.” That’s what is awaiting our action. Possess our promise.

Colossians 3:3 – “Your crucifixion with Christ HAS SEVERED the tie to this life, AND NOW your true life is hidden away in God in Christ.”

God sees the Finished Work. We need to see what he sees and press toward that. We do so, knowing that if we stumble, Jesus is interceding for us. As His love envelops us and we become one with Him, we SEE and HEAR in the heavenly realm and walk into freedom. Our desires and motives change. We cast off every weight and sin that besets and hinders us.

I use Colossians 3:16 for my conclusion: “Let the Word of Christ live in you richly, FLOODING you with all wisdom.”

You are a product of the Cross of Jesus. You are completely free from the past. Live now in that revelation, and keep your eye on the prize. Expect what God expects! He sees nothing insurmountable, and neither should we.

Today is a day of revelation and release. Tap into the reservoir and let the river flow! Let the victories begin!

Psalm 139: 1-4 – “O Lord, you examine me and know me.  ² You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away, you understand my motives. ³ You carefully observe me when I travel or when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. ⁴ Certainly my tongue does not frame a word without you, O Lord, being thoroughly aware of it. ⁵ You squeeze me in from behind and in front; you place your hand on me.”  NET

God’s Promises are eternal, and His Presence is Perpetual.   He is always there or here, for He is Omnipresent!   He knows!  He sees!  He hears!  He feels!  He cares!  What a wonderful God we have!   One translation renders it as a “wrap-around presence.”   I like that God wraps Himself around us.

My heart and mind overflowed as I read, prayed, pondered, and mused on the Word.  Some of what filled my heart was a personal challenge to me.  It was both a word of encouragement and correction.

As I pondered the scriptures, I noticed that Job’s comforters began describing him somewhat favorably, but as they progressed, they accused him of vile corruption and greed.  He made them uncomfortable in their religious mentality.  They had everything neatly packaged in a box.  If bad happens, it means you sinned.  If good happens, it means you are righteous.   Job’s arguments challenged that, and religion became mean.   It always does.

It almost seems like the Psalmists capture Job’s confusion and reveal God’s heart.  Religion is satisfied if enough rules are followed to outweigh the failures. It’s a balance sheet; all is good if your debits and credits show a net profit.

Psalm 115:4-8 is a powerful reminder of the contrast of mentalities (flesh vs. spirit). 

Psalm 116:12-15, the Psalmist asked a question that presented two doors (legalism and faith.) “So now, what can I ever give back to God to repay Him for the blessings He has poured out on me?”   His answer pulled him through the door of faith.  Praise and Thanksgiving.

Psalm 119:1 – “You’re only truly happy when you walk in TOTAL INTEGRITY, walking in the light of God’s Word.”  Wow!

Psalm 119:15 –“I set my heart on Your precepts and pay close attention to all Your ways.”  The revelation of the Word, the saturation with the Word, brings revelation of the Ways of God.

Psalm 119:24 –“Your commandments are my counselors; Your Word is my light and delight.”

One of my favorite prayers of Psalm 119 is, “Help me turn my eyes away from illusions so that I purse only that which is true; AND drench my soul with life as I walk in Your paths.  (119:37).

That is followed by, “Teach me how to make good decisions, and give me revelation light, for I believe in Your commands.”   In v. 104, “For Your truth is the source of my understanding, not the falsehoods of those who don’t know You…”

Psalm 119:114 – “You’re my place of quiet retreat, and Your wraparound presence becomes my shield as I wrap myself in Your Word.”

For me, the key is God!   If we wrap ourselves and immerse ourselves in His Word, He reveals Himself, and out to that revelation and wraparound presence, we See and Know how and what to do.  He becomes our confidence, hope, and foundation.

He only waits for us to come and yield to Him.   Victory, beyond our most extravagant imagination, is waiting.  Let today be the day.

Have a fantastic day in His victory and allow the Holy Spirit to make His presence known to you; it is liberating!

Job 23:23-24 – “If a man have an angel to whom one would listen once in a thousand times, the angel would show him the way of uprightness 24 AND be gracious to him and say, Deliver this man lest he go down to corruption; he has found salvation…”

God’s presence is permeating the air and my consciousness this morning!    His plans for today are unfolding in brilliance as we embrace His presence and allow His heart and ours to be entwined.    I am praying for the pathway to peace to be expanded before each of you.   I am praying for productivity to be the theme of your day.   I am praying that the Touch of God will produce good fruit and testify of His goodness, grace, peace, power, and love.

God’s incredible love and long suffering were inescapable in my reading, praying, pondering, and meditating. They leaped from every page. Job 23:23-24 was like a new translation this morning.   Let that imagery explode in your heart.  One in a thousand warnings heeded, God is still gracious.   Wow!  That is incredible mercy.

Psalm 121:3b – “God is my keeper; He will never forget or ignore me…”

Psalm 124:1-2 asks, “What if God had not been there for us?”   It would have been total destruction. BUT HE WAS AND IS…

Psalm 125:1 tells us that we are unshakable by any shaking if we trust God.   We are as steadfast as God.  That is the root of God in us, our hope of glory.

Psalm 127:2 should be read, reread, and meditated on every day.  “It is really senseless to work so hard from early morning till late at night, toiling to make a living for fear of not having enough.  God can provide for His lovers even while they sleep.”   That is not an invitation to laziness or abandoning ambition.   It reveals that trusting our ability is futile, but trusting God, following Him, and living life is rewarding.

Psalm 130:3-4 reveals God’s incredible mercy, grace, and love.  “LORD, if You measured our us and marked us with our sins, who would ever have their prayers answered? 4 BUT Your forgiving love is what makes You so wonderful.  No wonder You are loved and worshipped.

God’s incomparable love, incredible mercy, and patience are astounding. We do not deserve His goodness, mercy, or love, but He gives it anyway.

Today, God’s love, peace, power, provision, and presence permeate our atmosphere.  It’s here.   He’s here!  Open your heart, and He will open your eyes to see.  In seeing this, you will discover the right path at the right time for the right purpose.   God is Victory!  God is Present!  God invites us to enter in and receive.   Today!

Have a fantastic day, and rejoice knowing God is with us, in us, and operating through us!  This is your day to become victorious!  Rejoice!

Psalm 135:6 – – “He does what He pleases with unlimited power and authority, extending His greatness throughout the universe.”

Good morning!  I am praying for each of you today!  It is a blanket prayer for everyone who reads and hears this devotional.  I am praying for perfect peace and complete confidence in God and His Love!  I am asking God to lift every burden and infuse His strength into each life. Today is to be a day of peace, power, provision, and God’s wrap-around presence.

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, God’s Omniscience and Unconditional Love gripped my consciousness like a vice and flooded my heart. In Psalm 135, we read of God’s Omnipotence (Psalm 135:6): “He does what He pleases with unlimited power and authority, extending His greatness throughout the universe.”

In Psalm 138:6-8, we see the compassion of God.   The exalted creator of all stoops down to the lowly and lifts them up.  He enables His followers to walk through the rubble and devastation of life with renewed strength and a new infusion of hope, peace, and life.

Then, possibly my favorite, Psalm 139, walks us through our relationship with God and gives unifying hope. Palm 139:1-2 –“Lord, You know EVERYTHING there is to know about me.  2 You perceive EVERY movement of my heart and soul, AND You understand my EVERY thought BEFORE it even enters my mind.”  [Emphasis mine].

He continues, and what He declares blows my mind.  God is intimately aware of every detail of our lives, thoughts, and emotions.   “You read my heart like a book.”  He knows what we will say before it even comes into our consciousness.   He knows every step, deed, action, and motive BEFORE we do it. “You’ve gone into my future to prepare the way, and in kindness, you follow behind me to spare me from the harm of my past.  You have laid Your hand on me!”   That is beyond amazing.

Psalm 139:10 – “Wherever I go, Your hand will guide me; Your strength will empower me.”  We can go nowhere and do nothing of which He is not aware.   Beginning in verse 14, we see how He created us and wove our parts together before and in the womb.

Psalm 139:16 – “You saw who You created me to be BEFORE I came to be!”   Then, the verses that make my heart leap from my body.  Psalm 139:17-18 – “EVERY single moment You are thinking of me!  How precious and wonderful to consider that You cherish me constantly in Your EVERY THOUGHT!… When I awake each morning, You’re still with me.”  [Emphasis mine].

The concluding verses reveal how we should respond to such love and power.   Psalm 139:23-24.  The Psalmist invites God willingly to thoroughly examine his heart and purge anything and everything that hinders us from complete surrender to him. He cries, “Test me, sift through my anxious cares, fears, worries, and concerns.  Reveal the path of pain I am on and lead me back to the path that leads to You.”

What a God we serve!  He knows everything and still loves to care for, protect, heal, help, guide, and provide for us.   If that doesn’t warm our hearts and bring peace, I know of nothing that can.  We are known and yet loved unconditionally.   How can we not love and serve this God?  This should banish all fear and anxiety.   Be free in the freedom He has given.

Have a fantastic day, and rejoice in the Omniscient God who Loves us despite our flaws!  

Song of Solomon 4:2, the king (Jesus) says to the Shulamite (church), “When I look at you, I see how you have taken My fruit and tasted My Word.  Your life has become clean and pure.” 

As I prayed, read, and mused on God’s Word, my reading took me to the Song of Songs (Solomon).  I saw things I had never seen before and gained a new understanding and appreciation for a book most read with a cursory glance without understanding. It can be applied to human romantic relationships, but that is not the book’s purpose.  God always has a purpose in His words.

As I began reading, chapter 3 exploded in my consciousness. I saw the condition of multitudes who claimed Jesus as their Savior. We call them the church. In Song of Solomon 3:2—The Shulamite (church) searched for Him (Jesus) but could not find Him. The overseers (religious leaders and systems) didn’t know where He was. Once the Shulamite moved past them (she left the form and formula), she found Him.

Her declaration in v.4b is incredible.  “Now I’ll bring Him back to the temple within where I was given new birth – the innermost parts, the place of my conceiving.”   That is impossible to relegate to the human romantic experience.   It speaks of salvation.

In the remainder of chapter 3, it expands even more.  The King’s marriage carriage was constructed for (v.10) “those who will become his bride.”  Not singular, but THOSE! In Song of Solomon 4:2, the king (Jesus) says to the Shulamite (church), “When I look at you, I see how you have taken My fruit and tasted My Word.  Your life has become clean and pure.”  That’s what Jesus said to the disciples.

In v.3, an amazing revelation is presented.   Our words (in the aforementioned condition and position) are as refreshing as an oasis.  “What pleasure you bring to Me!”   We bring Joy to Jesus!  That should change our outlook and view of ourselves.   In Him, we are one with Him, and in Him, we bring Him Joy.

The progression is seen in Song of Solomon 4:6, where the Shulamite (church) makes a decision of total commitment to seek and continue with Him No Matter What.    The king (Jesus) v.8 says, “Come with Me the archway of trust.” The condition and result of that is seen in Song of Solomon 4:13-14, “Your inward life is now sprouting, bringing forth fruit.   What a beautiful paradise unfolds within you.”

Song of Solomon 4:15 is incredible, “You are a fountain of gardens.  A well of living water springs up from within you, like a mountain brook flowing into My heart.”    Whose heart?  Jesus!  Wow!

Notice Song of Solomon 4:16, 5:1.  Taste the fruits of His life in us.  His life in us becomes a feast.  Song of Solomon 6:12 could well be speaking of the Rapture, “Then suddenly my longings transported me.  My divine desire brought me next to my beloved prince, sitting with Him in His royal chariot. We were lifted up together!”

Song of Solomon 7:2-3 speaks of the fullness of the Spirit flowing from our innermost being and birthing a harvest.  Song of Solomon 8:7 cries out what Paul said: Nothing can separate us from God’s love.  Nothing is more valuable than Him.

Here is my simple thought: God treasures us, and as we surrender to Him, we bring Him exquisite pleasure and become rivers of life touching others. Always remember you are not insignificant. You are the Bride of Christ.  Decide to live with that view of life and know that your words are His words, and the fruit in you is of eternal value and brings life to others.   When you speak, you speak with the authority of Christ.   Victory is ours.  

Have a fantastic day in Jesus and rejoice knowing that He is our Bridegroom returning for us very soon!