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!

Exodus 33:18-19 – “ And Moses said, “Show me your glory.” ¹⁹ And the Lord said, “I will make all my goodness pass before your face, and I will proclaim the Lord by name before you; I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious; I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy.”

As I prayed, read, pondered, and considered the Word, the request of Moses in Exodus 33:18-19 and God’s response intrigued me.   I won’t get into goodness and glory but say that it is not the spectacular we need.  We want the bells, whistles, goosebumps, lightning flashes, and thunder.  But God wants us to follow Him with or without the demonstrations.  He wants our wholehearted devotion.  He wants our hearts.

I believe Paul expressed that in Philippians. Regarding his experience, he said, “To truly know Him meant letting go of EVERYTHING from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap.”  Philippians 3:8.

Paul had emptied himself of himself and sought to be filled with Jesus.  He wanted God more than life or things.    He was so focused on being one with Jesus that his expressed view was (verse 20) – “We ARE a colony of heaven on earth AS we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform us…”

How do we do that?   We die to self.   We toss aside our past and submit our ambitions to Him. We train ourselves in that, which is tremendously important.   We Saturate ourselves in prayer every day and throughout the day.  We expose our hearts fully to God.   Philippians 4:6 instructs us to tell Him every detail of our lives. 

As we make ourselves vulnerable, He guards our hearts and minds, enabling us to keep our thoughts Fixed on what is real, honorable, admirable, beautiful, respectful, pure, holy, merciful, and kind.   We are enabled, and we are determined to Fasten our thoughts on every glorious work of God in a state of continual gratitude and praise.  The result – The God of Peace – will be with us in All things.   All things and at All times.

It was in Paul’s focus and surrender that he learned contentment.    Philippians 4:12-13 offers this revelation- “For I’m trained in the secret of overcoming ALL things…”  Matthew 6:33 is our guide.  God first, above all.  Total surrender opens heaven’s door. 

Philippians 3:12 – “I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness 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.”

My cry and declaration is, “I’m Yours LORD, everything I am, everything I’m not.  I’m Yours TOTALLY.  Help me not take back any of me for me.  Help me to be wholly Yours.“

Victory, peace, power, and provision are our heritage in Jesus.  Have a Great Day!

Leviticus 10:1-2 – “Then Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, each took his fire pan and put fire in it, set incense on it, and presented strange fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them to do. ² So fire went out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them so that they died before the Lord.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word, I was inquisitive once again about the “strange fire” of Nadab and Abihu in Leviticus 10.  The Hebrew translated strange is “unauthorized, foreign, unapproved.” 

They disregarded God’s prescribed way and did it their way.   When we attempt to fulfill God’s purposes through human effort and ability, we add to what God has provided.   Extrapolate that to the New Testament; it would be Christ plus something.   Jesus is the Way, Truth, and Life, and the Cross is Complete.  

That brings me to my reading in the Book of Colossians.   Paul unveils the spiritual revelation of what Jesus did and who we are through that work “if” we believe and receive.   He is not talking about becoming. He is speaking of Being.

Colossians 1:6b tells us that the Gospel produces the fruit of eternal life manifested in us.  In 1:9, he reveals that as we receive God’s grace and realize it, we become reservoirs of Every Kind of Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding.   Wow!  That means that we can know things far beyond our natural ability because of God’s grace in us.

The revelation of grace is astounding. Colossians 1:20 says, “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.”

Then he reveals that because of God’s grace and love (v.22) – “but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him— ²³ if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard.”

Now, there is Nothing between us and the Father!   Because of the Cross, the Father sees us as “holy, flawless, and restored.”  Too bad we don’t see ourselves that way!   We believe the whispers of the enemy and look at our perceived imperfections and shortcomings.   And live as spiritual papers that are inept and impotent because of the wrong perceptions.

Jesus living in us floods (or could or should) with the expectation of His Glory revealed and demonstrated in us!  Remember How the Father Views Us because of the Cross.

In Colossians 2:2, he reveals that “if” our hearts are wrapped in the comfort of heaven and woven into love’s fabric, we will have access to “all” the Riches of God.   Our spiritual wealth is “in” Him, waiting to be uncovered and realized.  It’s there.  We need to seek it.

Colossians 2:11 is an amazing revelation.   Through union with Christ, our hearts are circumcised, and that cuts away the guilt and power of sin!  It is now extinct Because of what Jesus did.  That’s God’s view but not the view of most.  We see ourselves as sinners, not redeemed members of the family who are New Creations!

Jesus Totally defeated the devil, but we tend to give him illegitimate authority and power. Colossians 3:2-3 gives instructions and revelation.   We are to “fill” our thoughts with heavenly realities, not earthly distractions.   Being crucified with Christ severs the tie to the old life and reveals our new and true life in God.

Colossians 3:5-11 we have invaluable instruction and revelation.   We are to live as a person who has died to sin and are to live as one who has died to forbidden things… it is amazing what he says next – “including the desire for wealth, which is the essence of idol worship.”  Simply put, anything that becomes our focus becomes our master.  Jesus is to be our focus, and He provides “all” we need.  He is “all” we need.

We are to intentionally eliminate the ways of old nature.  That includes anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech, and lying.  We are to “lay aside” our old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise.  Because we are New Creations and are continuously being renewed into God’s likeness, that brings us the full revelation of God.

We can’t be that and be the old, too.   One has to go.   One will be rejected.  What we choose determines who we are!   You are in Him, and in Him, you are Victorious!

Embrace the Fire of God and allow that Fire to Transform you from the inside out!  Victory is Yours!

Leviticus 22:21-22 – “If a man presents a peace-offering sacrifice to the Lord for a special votive offering or for a freewill offering from the herd or the flock, it must be flawless to be acceptable; it must have no flaw. ²² “‘You must not present to the Lord something blind, or with a broken bone, or mutilated, or with a running sore, or with a festering eruption, or with a feverish rash.  You must not give any of these as a gift on the altar to the Lord.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word, I was challenged regarding offerings to God.   A less-than-perfect sacrifice was unacceptable.  I heard the word in my heart, “Blind Sacrifices.”   I pondered the question, “Do we sometimes give God blind sacrifices or flawed offerings? Do we give Him our leftovers or the unusable ones? “  That would reveal why many live in a constant state of lack and turmoil.

The Lord used that account to bring me to something in 1 Thessalonians that set my heart ablaze.  It was a dual message.  1 Thessalonians 5:14 demanded my attention.   One translation says, “We appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not in their place of battle.  Be skilled at gently encouraging those who feel inadequate. Be faithful to stand your ground.   Help the weak to stand against.  Be quick to demonstrate patience with everyone. “

Not in their place of battle?   The Greek word ‘atakos’ is often used for troops that are not in battle formation or unarranged, disorderly, or idle—those who are losing heart.

The ministry assigned to every leader and every believer is to encourage others.   In 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Paul spoke of the reality that those believers were putting their faith into practice.   Love motivated them to serve others, and they were unmovable in their hope in Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 gives life patterns to follow and details the benefits and fruit of that life.  We are to live in a continual attitude of Joy that is so extravagant and encompassing that it is a continual feast.

• Make your life a prayer.

Pray unceasingly means to be in a constant state of communion with God, always open to dialogue. Prayer is not giving God our list of demands or desires; it is open dialogue. It means expressing our desires and listening for His response and directive.   

• Live in a continual attitude of gratitude.

Then, he unveils a super serious danger that blocks the move of God in us.  In verse 19 –“Never restrain or put out the fire of the Holy Spirit.”  Wow!   They were baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire!  That fire is a source of divine energy that enables the Holy Spirit to work in us.  It purges, purifies, and empowers. 

1 Thessalonians 5:20 speaks of prophecy, both personal words and corporate universal words.  Don’t scorn them.   No matter how they sound, examine them by putting them to the test.  How?  The revealed written Word and the witness of the Spirit.  Once tested, every prophecy that proves valid is to be embraced. 

Remember Jeshophat’s instructions in 2 Chronicles 20, “Believe in the LORD your God, so you shall be established; believe in His prophets, and you shall be delivered.”

If we give God our best, fully surrender our hearts, hold fast to His Word, and always maintain an attitude of gratitude and patience seasoned with prayer, we will see victory beyond what we have experienced.  

God seems to be saying, “Give Me blind sacrifices and fail.  Give Me the best, and I will give you My best.”

Let us consider our lives and act accordingly, examining our hearts and actions.   Victory is within our grasp!  God desires for us to walk in fullness.   It is up to us, so let’s seize the day!

Give God your best, and you will receive His best in return, which is far better than yours!