Genesis 22:1-2 – “Some time after these things God tested Abraham.  He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am!” Abraham replied. ² God said, “Take your son—your only son, whom you love, Isaac—and go to the land of Moriah! Offer him up there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will indicate to you.”

As I prayed, read, and pondered today, a reality grew in my heart. It came from Genesis 22 and 1 Corinthians 10. An unusual phrase triggered this thought.

Genesis 22:1 makes a very interesting and challenging statement.   “And it came to pass after these things…”  What things?   Chapter 21, the birth of Isaac (the promised heir), the sending away of Hagar and Ishmael, and the Covenant with Abimelech.   After those things, “… God tested Abraham…”

The test was a test of faith, faithfulness, trust, and obedience.   

• God sometimes tests us so that we will know our own hearts.  
• He tests so that we will know Him and His faithfulness.  
• He tests us so that we will develop proven and faith that is tried in the furnace of affliction. 
• That faith won’t waver, and it will propel us into an attitude of trust and confidence that enables us to appropriate the promises and walk in the fullness of victory and peace.

The test was to take Isaac, the seed of promise, and offer him (literally) as a sacrifice. That is an illogical directive and seems totally out of character for God. But it is necessary if we are to learn unmovable trust.

The key is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 – No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.“

We all experience times of testing, which is typical for every human being.  But God will be faithful to you.  He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test you face so that you can bear it.  And each test is an Opportunity to trust Him more, for along with every trial, God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.  Hallelujah!

God may allow or bring things into our lives that Test us.  Trials are not always a sign of a spiritual attack but may be a springboard to a higher level in God’s kingdom.  I desire to have faith that won’t falter or fail.   Unequivocal trust and confidence that knows.  I desire that for you as well. 

Therefore, if you face or are facing a trial, Know that it is an opportunity to trust, and before it can destroy you, God has already provided an exit door to safety.  You are stronger if you can endure, but mercy will deliver you if you can’t.   Victory is the goal, and unshakable faith is the prize.   It is there for you. 

The Testing of our Faith is a Positive Thing because it helps us to become more trusting and obedient!  

Have a fantastic day in Jesus, and always remain confident in His Promises!   God Bless!

1 Corinthians 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been in vain. In fact, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” 

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word today, I was drawn to several thoughts that encouraged my heart.

1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul declared who he was, which was the direct result of grace!   God’s amazing grace made him who he had become.   That is a vital revelation we sometimes overlook.   Every facet and experience is being used to shape us into the person God desires.   If we cooperate rather than complain and resist, we are transformed rightly.  If we persist in resisting God, we are transformed negatively. 

Grace shapes us. Although it is a free gift, Grace requires our cooperation and willingness to submit to accomplish its work. 

• Resurrection requires death to be a reality.  
• Had Jesus not died, He could not be resurrected. 
• Had He not died, we would be without hope. 
• But equally true if He were not resurrected, we would be without hope.

If there is no resurrection, there is no redemption.  If there is no redemption, then we might as well party all night because this life is all we have.  But there is a resurrection, and those who embrace Him and are transformed by Grace have eternal life.

Paul’s illustration of what our resurrected bodies will look like is powerful. Although he said we do not know, he gave us insight. The seed that is sown does not look like what results.  Therefore, what we look like on the other side may be different, but it will be incorruptible and never die again!

One day, All of Us will depart this life via the gateway of death.   But know this, death is toothless and powerless in attempting to prevent us from receiving our glorified bodies.   So, why not live Now in the reality of that coming day and banish the sting of death from our consciousness?  

It is a biblical truth that once this life on earth is concluded, we are immediately ushered into the presence of Jesus to live a life that is True Life!   No wonder Solomon in Ecclesiastes said, “I envy the dead more than the living.” 

What and who I am has only one purpose.  That is to fulfill God’s purpose on earth.  I am to strengthen hands that are feeble and wearied by life.  I am to pull down strongholds and set captives free.  I am to bring honor to the Name of Jesus.  I am to live a life that manifests Christ Jesus.   All else is rubbish. 

• So, set your heart to “Seek God First and Foremost.” 
• Set your heart to “Know Him.”   
• Set your heart to “Obey Him.”  
• Set your heart to “Manifest Him.”   

He is our Life, and the Life He brings is Abundant!

Have a fantastic day in Jesus; this is your day to shine!

Exodus 4:2 – “ The Lord said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A staff.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered today, the question God asked Moses in Exodus 4 challenged me – “What is in your hand?” 

Moses had a shepherd’s staff; we may hold many material, emotional, or spiritual things in our hands or hearts.   It may be material, or it may be abilities.  We all have something at our disposal.  God will use that if we cooperate and participate in His purposes.   Obedience and persistence.   Trust is the key element, and a desire to give to others what we have.

This truth is amplified in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. Yes, these chapters discuss a monetary offering but read them carefully, and you will see the far-reaching truth embodied therein. 2 Corinthians 8:12 reveals that God is unconcerned with amounts but intent.  He uses what we have, not what we don’t have.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 speaks powerfully about God’s incredible ability to multiply what comes from the heart.  Notice, “God is more than ready to overwhelm you with EVERY FORM of grace SO THAT you will have MORE THAN ENOUGH of EVERYTHING – every moment and in every way.”  [Emphasis Mine].  WOW! 

God provides the Sower with seed and for our obedience. He gives even more of what we need when we need it for its intended purpose.  Obedience is freely giving what we have (not just money), opening our eyes to God’s goodness, and inspiring praise.   Where does God live?  He inhabits the praises of His people.  What happens when God is present?  VICTORY!

That spirit of using what is at our disposal (in our hands, under our control or authority) enables us to pull down strongholds and dismantle the devil’s strategies.  It brings peace and victory.

Love conquers!  God is love, and when we love God, we give Him what is in our hands, and He transforms that into the abundance needed.  We live with no sense of lack and without fear!

The only question is, do we trust Him?  What is in your hand?  God will use what you have to achieve His purposes.  Don’t confuse His purposes with your preferences.   His purposes produce peace when pursued; our preferences not aligned with His purposes produce frustration and depression.

God’s work done God’s way never fails.   He will not fail you if you give Him what you have.   He will multiply seeds to the Sower and provide bread to the eater.   He is God!

Ask yourself, what is in my hand that God can use?   Cooperate with the Holy Spirit and become and do what He desires.  It is your heritage.

Galatians 5:22-26 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.”

I pray for each of you to be filled to overflowing with God’s grace, peace, provision, power, and presence.   May you excel in Him and soar in the Spirit, rising high over the chaos, enabling you to SEE with the eyes of the Spirit.

As I read, prayed, pondered, and meditated on the Word, the necessity of staying under the protection and covering of the blood leaped out from the pages.

The exodus in Exodus was a reminder.  The blood applied to the doorposts, the lintel, and on the house.  (A picture of salvation, we are His house).  The requirement was that they had to stay in the house, which was marked by the atoning blood.  (If they had to stay in, that means they could walk out)

Paul’s message to the Galatians emphasized this principle. We are crucified with Jesus to the old life. Now, the life we live is His life.

Galatians 2:20 – “My old identity has been crucified with Christ and no longer lives.  And the essence of this new life is no longer mine…”  Wait, what?  I thought that in salvation, it was mine.  “…FOR the Anointed One lives His life through me – we live in union as one!”  Wow!  That means I can’t live the Christian life in my strength or by keeping religious rules.  He is the one living the life; I’m simply yielding my life to Him.  I have responsibilities and must resist and refrain from yielding to the flesh, but it is Him, not me, that enables me to live this new life of freedom.  “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.”  

If we understand Grace and Christianity, we receive and obey the empowering of the Spirit, cleansed by the blood.

The power of the Spirit has nothing to do with religion. It is received by faith, not works.  The law (religion) does not require faith but self-effort.

Hear this – “This means that the Covenant between God and Abraham was fulfilled in Messiah and cannot be altered. “  (Gal. 3:17)   “We receive ALL the promises because of the Promised One – NOT because we keep the law!”  (v.18)

Galatians 5:16, 18 –“Let me emphasize this: As you yield to the dynamic life and power of the Holy Spirit,  You will abandon the cravings of your self-life…18 But when you yield to the life of the Spirit, you Will No Longer be living under the law,  But Soaring Above It!”

Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit produced by the Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:

• Joy that overflows,
• Peace that subdues,
• Patience that endures,
• Kindness in action,
• A life of virtue,
• Faith that prevails,
• Gentleness of heart and
• Strength of spirit.”

Under the blood yielded to the Holy Spirit that is our life – Free and Full.

Have a great day in Jesus, and enjoy the Freedom you have been granted!

Ephesians 2:4-6 – “ But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us, ⁵ even though we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved!— ⁶ and he raised us up together with him and seated us together with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus…”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word today, Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was my focus. Those six short chapters contain more revelation and spiritual food than three lifetimes could unpack. They are rich with spiritual insights that enable us to move into the kingdom realm and become who God says we are.

Ephesians 2:6 – we are co-seated with Jesus in the heavenly realm.  That is not figurative nor theoretical but actual.  In the spirit, we have access to the throne and power of God through Christ.  Most do not truly believe that because most think it is something too elusive or exclusive for them.  Self-condemnation prevails over Christ’s provision.  

Ephesians 2:22 tells us we are being transformed into God’s dwelling place.   What part of His power or person is omitted if God abides in us?  Nothing!  Therefore, we have access to God’s supernatural. 

Ephesians 3:20 informs us of God’s promise to give us more than we can think, dream, or imagine.

Ephesians 4:2 tells us that obedience is one of the keys to His extravagant grace.  Our attitude and conduct are to be exemplified by tender humility and quiet patience.  Wow!  Patience?  But Lord, I want it immediately.   Don’t make me wait, ever!  We must consistently demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially those who try our patience.  

Ephesians 4:29, 31- 32 instructs us on thoughts that become words and shape attitudes.   Never let ugly or hateful words come out of our mouths (that means they can’t be in our hearts).  We are to reject bitterness, fits of rage, desire for revenge, profanity, and insults or put-downs.  We are to exhibit kindness, forgiveness, and love.

Ephesians 5:5b is interesting – “…greed is the essence of idolatry.”

Ephesians 5:15-20 should be memorized, meditated upon, and practiced daily.  Fill our hearts, minds, and mouths with praise and Thanksgiving.

Ephesians 6:10-20 gives us an understanding of the armor’s use and purpose.  In Ephesians, we understand who we are, what is provided, and a pathway to God’s peace, purpose, person, and power. 

Why not believe it is for us Now?  Why not incorporate it into our lives today?  Why not be the victorious overcoming member of Christ’s body that He has made provision for.  It is who we are in Him.  It is not how worthy we are but how gracious and loving He is.   He says we are, and for us to live any other way is to question His truthfulness.   He does not lie!

Let’s enforce His victory on this earth from our position of being co-seated with Jesus in the heavenly realm!   Have a Great Day. It is your day to enjoy the fullness of His Victory!