It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. Proverbs 25:2

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God’s Kingdom Laws: Submit to Others, Do Not Retaliate and Do Justly   1 Peter 2:13-25

There are natural laws and spiritual laws that are in place that dictate natural and spiritual outcomes. There are the laws of the various nations and countries that the citizens must abide by or they could be, in danger of paying the penalty for their failure to obey. We are more familiar with the natural laws that govern this world, such as the law of gravity. As followers of Christ,we are called to humble ourselves, submit to others and to do the right things.  

1 Peter 2:13-17 Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.   For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men— as free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God.   Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 

Most people do not have a good understanding of God’s spiritual laws that govern the spiritual realm such as the act of submitting to those in authority, because it is the will of God for His people. When we are doing the right thing even when others are offending us we are showing the world we trust in God’s faithfulness to provide and protect. We are to give honor to all people because they are image bearers of God. Jesus told the people to render unto Cesar the things that belong to Cesar which was respect, that is due all who are in authority but we are to fear(obey) God. If it is not illegal, immoral, against our health and safety, or God’s laws, we are to submit to those in authority. 

1 Peter 2: 18-22 Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.  For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”;

We often see people who want to seek revenge or demand an eye for an eye when it comes to their injuries or injustices. Some people feel they are justified in wanting harsh penalties of others because of what they experienced,or because of the unequal treatment done by others.  They want just as much, if not more, punishment to be given to       the perpetrator or violator, but God tells us that He will be the vindicator and judge. 

Some people are punished more harshly because of their class, culture or socioeconomic background and they feel cheated.  But this is all part of the pride of life, in that we want to be esteemed just as great as others, or at least be vindicated to the same extent. God has told His people to trust Him to vindicate us and to love mercy in whatever form it may arise, knowing God is the ultimate judge who will judge justly in the end. 

1 Peter2:23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. NKJ

God has shown us His way and that is for us to do justly, just do the right thing. We are to give everyone, unbiased and unprejudiced treatment, doing the right thing for the right reasons. This is how we are to walk truthfully and in integrity, without looking for anything in return, not even right treatment in return. This is the requirement that the true followers of Christ should set for themselves. We are to love mercy; we should be devoted to showing forgiveness and celebrate it with passionate, open-hearted gladness when it is shown to others. We should not seek out punishment toward others, but should always look to show mercy and forgiveness no matter the situation, as God has forgiven us. 

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

Jesus showed us how-to walk-in mercy and forgiveness. On the night Jesus was betrayed He washed the feet of His disciples including the one who betrayed Him, to be put to death. Jesus gave broken bread to those who were with Him as a symbol of His body that would be broken for them and He poured the wine as a representation of His blood that would be poured out for humanity.  We are told to remember Christ every time we take part in the act of communion, the one who gave His life for many. For this reason, God requires mercy of His children. We also can follow His examples of being broken bread and poured out wine by forgiving others and loving others in spite of what they do to us.

The world is living life in fear of lack, in scarcity and in self-focus, while the true followers of Christ are giving out of their hardship, and sharing their resources and loving those that were unlike themselves. Christ is the One who gave Himself for others, the One who became poor that others may be rich, the One who died that others might have abundant and eternal life and the One who forgave and loved those that abused and reviled Him. 

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. NKJ

1 Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. NIV

Those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord, God has called them kings and priests on the earth. These are God given earthly positions that have certain roles, functions and responsibilities upon the earth. As kings we hold the position of royalty as in the family of God and should conduct ourselves accordingly. As priests we offer prayers and petitions for the people that are in our sphere of influence.  

 We see these roles displayed in the life of Christ, the One in whom we are to get our identity and should also mimic, impersonate and imitate while we live on this earth. As image bearers of God and Christ followers our purpose is to display the love, mercy and the forgiveness of God which brings glory to His name on the earth.  

 1 Peter 2:24-25 who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.   For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

We are now part of a new family, citizens of a new country and our allegiance is to our Sovereign King, Jesus. Many get stuck in their own ideas about their rights and ethnicity in the flesh that they fail to be transformed in their minds into the image of Christ and to make Jesus the Lord over all. There is so much division in the church, in the body of Christ because many refuse to let go of the old nature, old life and its priorities. When Jesus is King over our lives He will reign in every area of our life regardless of our past, affinities or affections.

For all who by faith believe in Jesus as their Lord and King, God has given them the Holy Spirit to help them in their weaknesses. God knows our heart and mind and the Spirit of God intercedes for us that we may walk according to His will. Though our life choices may not be perfect, God knows how to take our bad choices, and what the enemy meant to be evil against us, and turn it around and to work it for our good. It will then become as a testament of God’s goodness, mercy and His glory. 

When we have knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, then we are able to see more clearly the Godly nature and workings of God in the earth and in the spiritual realm. Satan’s major attack is against the people of God, while trying to tempt them into rebelling against God. But God in His Sovereignty and purpose will use the very things the enemy has brought against His people to transform them and develop them into the image of His dear Son.  

God has always had representatives in the earth to show His way, His word and His righteousness. From the beginning with Abel, to the laws of the Jewish nation, to the prophets and now through the word of Christ, God has always provided an example to the world and to show them the way of salvation.  It has always been the choice of every person to us their will to choose whether they will remain in their fallen mind set or to let go and choose to obey the light of God’s word. 

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain but He washed me clean as snow.

 

 

 

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1 Peter 2:1-12

The act of salvation is an instant transaction in time that gives birth to a living spirit in Christ. Conversion is a process that is done over a life time. The soul may be saved and yet the mind has not been renewed, trained or converted to the things of God and His way of living and thinking. This is why we see some people who say they are saved, and very well maybe, and yet they live their lives the same way as the world, without any adherence or loyalty to God, His kingdom ways and principles.

Salvation is a regeneration, an act, a fact that transpires in a moment in time like the birth of a child. Once the child is born the process of learning and training of life begins. A new born baby is a person, yet the mind and body is underdeveloped and needs to be fed, taught and trained to live a responsible and productive life and the same goes for the life in Christ. We are all born into this fallen world system and have been taught according to a system that was established with the fall of mankind, and that was when Satan became the prince of this fallen world.  

Salvation is a gift from God given instantly to those who by faith receive Christ as their Savior. It is being born spiritually as infant in a childlike state, unlearned and untaught regarding the things of God and His kingdom on earth.   We are to feed on the sincere milk of the Word that we may grow in Him.

1 Peter 2:2  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye  may grow thereby: KJV

Conversion is to change from one thought or belief; to turn around completely; to alter the nature of or to change from one form of functioning and thinking to another. Therefore conversion, for a true follower of Christ, continues to be a lifelong process of renewing the way we think and transform our minds from the fallen ways that we were taught. We have been schooled and educated in this life to the fallen ways and now our minds need to know and be taught how to operate in God’s kingdom principles and ways. Jesus said He is the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Him. Jesus came and brought a new way of living and thinking to those who are born into the kingdom of God on earth.

John 14:6   Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” NKJV    

Conversion alters one’s heredity and changes their nature, their ideology, their family ties and their social and economicpositions. To be born of God is to have a change in your bloodline, old things are passed away and all things become new. True followers of Christ are no longer led by theirfallen human nature and character that is rooted in the old way of thinking and in the lies they were taught that cultivates division, hatred, conceit and self-importance.   

True followersare converted through the knowledge of Christ which alters the mainspring of a person’s heart and soul which, will not only change their actions but their motives also. They will no longer be ruled by their natural affinities but to being led by the spiritual and supernatural nature of God. They will begin to desire to know their God, His principles, His kingdom ways and to do the will of the Father. 

As the Spirit of God gave life to Jesus, this same Spirit, when we are born again, enters into our lives. We become a living spirit born into the family of God by Christ Jesus. Most people who are born again do not realize their purpose or why they were born again. The enemy tries to keep God’s people in darkness as to their purpose. To be born again is a means to an end, and that end is becoming God’s image bearers. We are to learn how to operate in God’s authority and cultivate His kingdom on earth. The end is being part of a royal family andwe have a new culture, and are new citizens of the kingdom of God. This is the eternal life that we should know, the true and living God and we should reflect the glory of God in the earth by doing His will.

God has adopted us as His children and now we are children of The Most-High God.  Now God is our heavenly Father and King, so we are brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus was fully God and was born as the Son of Man and He gave His life so that we may live abundantly on earth. 

We are no longer part of this fallen world system. Though we live in this world we have a new home, a new family and a new citizenship in heaven. 

1 Peter 2:7-8 Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone,” and “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.

Many people are living in anxiety and stress because they have allowed the offenses of this world to be their steady diet and their daily sustenance, which feeds them and keeps them in a constant cycle of distrust and hate.  They are stumbling because they refuse to operate in forgiveness, love and the truth according to His Word. 

Great is the peace of them that love the word of God and live according to His kingdom principles and ways because they will not allow the offenses of this world to take root in their hearts or cause them to live in resentment and bitterness. 

Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? NKJ

We were once strangers to God and His kingdom ways, but Christ came so that we may become children of God and joint heirs with Christ in His kingdom on earth. That is why we are called strange, because we are different from those who live their lives on earth only to satisfy themselves. We are not of this world but of the family of God and our real home is to be onewith God.

1 Peter 2:9-10 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. NKJV

We were chosen by God to be royal priests to God, His own special people who will proclaim Him in this dark and perverted world and intercede for those who are lost. That is the office of priesthood, to represent and intercede for the people before God.  Through faith in the completed work of Jesus, people from every tongue, tribe and nation are able to come to God, to know and worship Him and to reflect His image on the earth. 

 Humanity went astray doing what they wanted and turning their backs on God.  God called Abraham and made a nation of people, the Jews, to represent Him on the earth.  God promised to send the Righteous Lamb of God, Jesus, who would one day come to take away the sin of the world.  Jesus, our High Priest would become the sacrifice to God and represent the people before God and to pay the price so that God would forgive their trespasses and sins.  Jesus sits at the right hand of God and intercedes for His people

1 Peter 2:11-12 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

 Our hearts will develop idols that will compete with our allegiance and commitment to the love of God.  When we allow ourselves to be distracted and continuously focus our gaze at the things of this world, these things will become our priority, our heart idols and the center of our affection. The world has so many attractions that will try to lure the eyes of Christians from the word of Christ. We are told to let our eyes be focused on what is good and that is the light of Christ. If people allow this world to become their main focus, they will eventually find themselves living in darkness. 

 Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. NKJ

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The Enduring Word 1Peter 1:19-24

God’s purpose for humanity is for us to be in a close personal relationship with God as our Father, Jesus as our Lord and Savior and with one another in love. Because Christ died for all, we are called to be His ambassadors to bring other into salvation and become His disciples.

God’s truths are revealed to us by His word and through the life of Jesus. By faith we believe Jesus is the Son of the Most-High God and accept and trust His truths until they are established in our hearts and minds. Then comes the testing of our faith, to show if we really and truly believe God’s word, whether we will obey it or not.  Truth that is not tested is only a theory, but a truth that is tried and has been tested and proven trustworthy, will be established in our hearts and becomes fact. Standing in faith under pressure is like metal being refined with fire, it removes the impurities but leaves a genuineness of faith to the praise and glory of God. 

Jehovah, is the Almighty God and He is Sovereign over heaven and earth and yet Satan is called the prince of this fallen world. Satan is most responsible for the evil, hate and problems in this world.  These truths sound as though they are conflicting statements or an oxymoron. God is ultimately the Sovereign King over the world and as a just and holy God He has limited Himself to His word. God in His Preeminence and excellent love for mankind created them in His image and gave them dominion over all He created. At the same time God gave them a free will, the ability to choose their allegiance and loyalties, and thereby allowing mankind the power to determine their own destiny. God in His Righteousness and Holiness had to respect the will and choice of mankind, as they turned over their dominion to Satan when they disobeyed him.

1 Peter1:19-21 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.   He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Philippians 1:20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. NIV

God in His Omniscient, all-seeing and all-knowing power knew mankind would be seduced by Satan into rebellion and disobedience against their God and King. But God made provision to redeem this fallen world system and mankind before the world was formed. Though sin, Satan and the fleshly cravings of mankind created a fallen world system that is geared to destroying and ensnaring humanity, God had made provision that the Son of Man, Jesus, would redeem this world with His precious blood. 

1 peter 1:18-20 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.   He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you  NKJ

God’s word will forever stand and there are no “take-backs” with God. Even though Satan became prince of darkness, God was bound by His word and His truth. It was man that relinquished dominion of this natural world to Satan and it would take a man, Jesus The Son of Man, to redeem their authority and dominance back to the former natural and spiritual world. Now there are two kingdom powers operating in the earth, the fallen world with darkness, principalities and powers of Satan, and also the Kingdom of God, which functions in both the natural and spiritual realm. 

God’s kingdom on the earth is both natural and spiritual. Many people are confused or blinded to the spiritual aspect of God’s kingdom and how His spiritual operation functions through faith in the earthly realm. 

Many people lose hope, lose sight, lose faith and lose confidence in God when they go through hard, horrendous or catastrophic experiences. This is because their perspective is only on their natural view or stance regarding their situation, such as the death of a love one, or a terminal illness or the loss of finances. Their attention is self-focused and overly concerned on what they have lost, and their belief that God did not intervene or stop those things from happening to them. These are very natural thoughts and as human beings our first response is in the natural, but the Holy Spirit of God is there to help the spirit of man to navigate through these life crises according to God’s word with a supernatural perspective. 

This old-world system has lost sight of mankind’s created purpose and has been taught to live a lie as to why they exist. People are naturally self-seeking, self-serving and full of pride. Many people are blinded by the lies of this world and are living as though this is the only life they have. Many spend themselves on these fleeting moments that are like passing vapors and they build their lives as castles on sand that will soon be washed away. We are to pass our time here as foreigners and sojourners, people who are passing through this space and time to do the will of God who created us to fulfill His purpose, to show God’s love and reflect His Glory.  

Luke 6:47-49 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:  He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.  But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that our souls are purified and it is through the truth of God’s word that we can love one another enthusiastically, eagerly and energetically. The heart is deceitfully wicked, full of greed, selfishness and hate, and only God can purify the heart through His Spirit and His Word. 

Jeremiah17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; Who can know it? The Lord, search the heart, /test the mind even to give every man according to his way. KJV

 How would we live if we truly understood that this time on earth is but a moment and only the trial run for eternity. So many people live this life as though they will live on earth forever, making homes and legacies thinking they will last, while neglecting the true eternal destiny of the soul. 

What do you spend your time on? Where is your time invested? Will impact your eternal future?  

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I. A Heavenly Inheritance 1 Peter 1:3-12

II. Living Before God Our Father Chapter 1:13-21

Jesus came and showed us how to live a life of obedience to God through humility and humbleness of spirit. Jesus was willing to suffer personally for the ultimate will and glory of God. Even though He was The Son of God, He was also the Son of Man and He learned obedience through the things He suffered. 

May we too display our faith in God through obedience, even in our pain, in our suffering and in our loss, so that a dying world may see and know the Hope we have in Christ. 

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

For followers of Christ, our hope is grounded and built on the foundation of the life of Christ. He is the person in which our Hope is anchored, He is the embodiment of our Hope. It is with a fixed and determined belief and confidence, that what He has promised He is able to perform.  This is unlike the wild fancies that are conjured up by trickeries, lies and deceits of this fallen world, that all societies are exposed to through social norms or mass media. This often causes people to lose heart when their unrealistic dreams or wishes fail.   

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, NIV

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, NKJ

This principle of testing and the trying of one’s faith was shown at the beginning in the garden. God’s abundant love for mankind had already been displayed when He gave them of every tree in the garden to eat, created them in His image and gave them authority over all His creation. The only exception was the tree of knowledge of good and evil and that was the test of their faith and obedience to God. Faith that is not tested it’s just a theory. It is not until our faith has been tried and proven that it becomes our reality.

Living Before God Our Father 1 Peter 1:13-21

1 Peter 1:17 If you call on Him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man’s work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear. WEB

Matthew 7:26-27​“But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

Jesus told us to take His yoke and learn of Him. Jesus was humble and trusted God to be faithful to His word. We are to be as a good soldier, one who is about the business of their leader’s mission and not their own selfish desires. 

Before the foundation of the world was laid, we were chosen by God to be in the family of God.  Jesus paid the price for our sins and the treason we committed against God. Jesus brought us back into the family of God and brought His kingdom to earth. That is the Good News of Christ; the kingdom of heaven is now available to us on earth. The kingdom of heaven is mentioned more than any other subject in the four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus preached, the good news of the kingdom of heaven is at hand and is now available to all humanity. This is the gospel of Jesus that the kingdom of God has arrived on earth.

I Peter 1: 17-21 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.  He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Jesus preached, “Repent,” which means, to turn or to change the way you think. Jesus is saying, because God’s kingdom has returned to mankind on the earth we can change the way we think about life, ourselves and how we conduct ourselves. Jesus tells us what the kingdom of God is like and how we are to operate in this new kingdom. Jesus taught in parables that most people did not understand and many still do not. But, for His disciples, those who sought and asked for the meaning of the parables, it was revealed to them. It is the same today. Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock and when we ask for wisdom God will give it to us. God is ready to answer our prayers and the word tells us we have not because we do not ask God or we ask with the wrong motive.

Luke 11:9-10 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. 

James 4:3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

 

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We Must Change the Way We Think To Be Transformed 

Life is a period of time that God has given each of us to develop our character and personalities through the choices we make based on our ownwill. God gives every living person a free will, that is the ability to choose. It is our choice to make, as to how we will spend our lives, but our choices will impact and determine where we will spend their eternity.

We are all travelers going through this thing we call life. It is a journey or an expedition to explore this gift called life which is from God. We have every right to make decisions and choices that will affect our body, soul, spirit and eventually our eternal state of being. 

Some people may give very little thought to the decisions they make in life, not realizing every choice made has a corresponding result. Many fail to understand that they are free to choose their actions but are not free to choose the consequences of that action. Many may not realize that their decisions may affect not only their future but possibly the future of their family and future generations. To keep people in darkness and ignorance as to the true purpose of their lives is just a tactic of the enemy, to keep them from knowing they were created to reflect the character, love and integrity of God on the earth. 

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;   that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” NKJ

We are to be transformed from our fallen state in which we were born,taught through our experiences and nurtured in through our families andculture. We all bring the baggage of life to the table, this is what makes us who we are, good, bad, or indifferent. God is telling us not to stay stuck on past hurts or the bad things we may have experienced, but to change the way we view and think about our past, by renewing our minds to see God’s perspective through the light of His Word. 

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Before we can be transformed we must first agree that the Bible is the true and living word of God, and it rises above all things, culture, experience, family and even self. God’s Word alone reigns supreme and is preeminent above all else. Only when we choose to let go of the lesser, are we able to grab hold of the greater that God has promised us. 

God’s Word must rise above all of our experiences, all of our pain and all of our past. Whether we want to except it or not, God’s word is the touchstone, the standard, the benchmark that we should rise up and lineour lives up against.

We sit on the throne of our hearts, lives and minds by allowing our emotions, our pain and past rule our lives. When we do not obey God’s word to forgive, but refuse to release and let go of the things in our past, then we are allowing our feelings and emotions to dictate our lives. But, it is when we line our will up with God’s word and we decide to ask Jesus to be Lord of our life and to sit on the throne of our hearts, that we are able to have freedom, His peace and be liberated from our past.   

It is when we ask Jesus to be Lord, not just Savior and allow Him sovereignty and authority to sit on the throne of our emotions, pain, hurts and desires that we are able to navigate this life in the way God had ordained and planned for His people. By this we are more than conquerors, we have a peace that surpasses understanding and we are to be kings, priest and to be a light in the midst of darkness. 

Romans 8:37-39 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. NKJ

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Yes we can live this life with joy, peace and abundance through the power of the Holy Spirit and are able to walk out God’s word in the flesh. When our will and choices, line up with the Holy Spirit we learn to live in love, in humility and in a meek way, as God has ordained for us to live from the beginning. The Holy Spirit as part of the Trinity of God plays a vital part in our lives as followers of Christ. With anyone, if He is ignored, overlooked or disregarded and if we refuse to engage Him, it would be difficult for the Holy Spirit to have an impactful role in our life and development. 

It is the Holy Spirit who guides us so that we may live a super-natural life on earth. A super-natural life is one that rises above its natural life experiences, culture, pain, emotions and even hatred, and is able to forgiveothers when we have been wronged. It the followers of Christ who willpray for those that hate them and then choose to show the love of God to those who are hurtful and unlovely. 

What we give our time and attention to is what shapes us and defines who we are. It is when we give time and attention to Christ, the Word of God and develop a relationship with the Holy Spirit, that we are able to be changed. This change will help us to fulfill our God given purpose, which is to reflect, resemble and reveal the love of God.  

Galatians 5:19 But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. AMP

Just as we ask Jesus into our lives to save us and to be our Lord and Savior, we should take time to acknowledge the Holy Spirit and ask Him to come within and upon us to give us the power we need to live this life in a way that represents God the Father and Jesus Christ our Savior well. 

When we hear the word of God and then say “Yes But!”  we are allowing our emotions and past experiences to sit on the throne of our hearts. We cannot grab hold of truth when our hands are tightly gripped on our past which is part of this fallen world system.  The apostle Paul beseeched and begged us in Romans 12:1, with the mercy of God extended to us, that he is asking that we release our old way of thinking and present our situation to God. We are to ask Him to transform and renew our way of thinking that we may be in line with God’s word. 

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. NKJ

We are to pray the prayer of faith in all we do. Just as it was by the prayer of faith that we received salvation. We confessed that Jesus is Lord of all, we believed in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, giving Him all power and authority. We can now submit our problems, pain and past to Him. It was by the power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was raise from the dead, and that same power will give us the ability to forgive, transform our minds and give us life eternal.  

Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.   For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The prayer of faith is believing in your heart that God’s word is true, and then confessing that truth that you believe with your mouth. It is the same with every prayer of faith that we make, it must be based on the truth of the word of God, we must believe it in our hearts, and then confess that truth with the conviction of our words from our mouth. It is not just a head knowledge but a heart knowing that the promises of God are Yes and Amen! It is not a hidden secret, but a public profession of faith. 

2Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.

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Encounter- the Power of Jesus, Embody the Character of Jesus, Extend the Presence of Jesus

God, heaven and earth were made perfect and in perfect unity when God gave all dominion over to humanity, but heaven and earth were ripped apart at the fall of mankind. The unity and oneness of mankind with one another, with nature and with God was destroyed because of sin and the disobedience of man.  Jesus came and walked upon this earth as The Son of Man, God in the flesh, and He embodied the character and the essence of God the Father. Through Jesus we too can encounter the power of God for salvation. We embody the presence of the Holy Spirit and we extend the presence of God’s love to restore the unity between one another, God’s kingdom on earth and with God in heaven. 

John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

We encounter the power of God through the truth of His word unto salvation. It was the power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead and through this same power of the Holy Spirit God has givenabundant and eternal life to those who believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Jesus came to display, exhibit and bear witness to the truth, the real truth which is of God the Creator. The enemy has flooded and filled this world with lies and deceptions so that many people cannot discern truth. Manydo not know how to discern that which is true or what is a lie. Some people will say, “this is the truth for me, or that everyone has their own opinion as to what is true,” but only the Inventor or Creator has the right to establish the purpose and truth for its creation or invention.    

John 5:24, 26 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life… For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

John 18:37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

The very essence of God, which is seen in the character of Jesus, embodies and indwells every true believer, because all true followers of Christ have the Holy Spirit living in them.   True followers of Christ are God’s representatives on the earth with God’s heart, His principle and His love for humanity because His lifeblood is flowing through us. We are called His ambassadors therefore, wherever we are, we represent Him as we walk in God’s integrity, humility, honesty and love.  So those around us will sense and know that there is something different about God’s people. It is because God’s Spirit and faithfulness fills the very space we are in. 

When we embody the Spirit of Christ, God expresses Himself through us and the people around will recognize the difference in us.  We will no longer respond as the world responds, in pride, greed or hate, but in forgiveness, forbearance, restraint and love.

Acts 17:28-29 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. 

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

We extend the presence of God as displayed in the life of Jesus. We are temples of the living God, with the Holy Spirit living in us, upon us and through us. Jesus came to restore the authority and dominion God had given to mankind so that we may fulfill His purpose. God’s purpose and plan for mankind is for us to display the glory of God and we who look like God should multiply and replenish His likeness throughout the earth.   

Genesis 1: 26a And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion….

Genesis 1:29a And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Befruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion….

Wherever God’s people are, the presence of God is in that space and we have the authority to have dominion and to rule in that space on earth. Jesus has given it to us. Wherever true believers of Christ are so is the presence of God, His compassion, mercy, love and forgiveness. 

Jesus taught the kingdom of heaven is at hand, it is near because He was on the earth. Now the Holy Spirit lives in every believer and every follower of Christ has the authority to rule and reign over their domain and area of influence

Matthew 10:7 And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 

When we engage with people who are in our presence, as true followers of Christ, they will encounter the power of God through the truth that we live and speak. The embodied Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, lives within us and it is displayed through the life we live, in integrity, love and forgiveness.  The presence of God is felt as followers of Christ stand for what is just, and that which is right with humility.  

Micha 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

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The Ministry of Reconciliation – Is to Bring Together in UnityGod and Humanity 

Many people will ask, what is my purpose? Or why am I here? For those who know they are here for God’s use, many still will say, they do not know what is their ministry. God has given us all the ministry of reconciliation, and that is to restore the fellowship of people with God and with one another.

2 Corinthians 5: 18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. NKJ

Jesus came and paid the debt we owed for our rebellion and sin against God and He died so that we could return to our createdpurpose of love and fellowship with God.  Through Christ we have an even greater relationship as sons or daughters of God not just His crowned creation. We now, through faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, have the ability to be adopted into the family and household of God. 

Ephesians 1:5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,

Therefore, our ministry is to give people the same hope for their future that we have received, that God is pursuing them. Because of His love for us, Jesus His Son, came and lived as a man and died and conquered death, so that He would take away our sins and we can now be in fellowship with God the Father. All who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior have this hope for their eternal life and future. Now as an ambassador we are to speak on the King’s behalf, pleading and imploring others to be restored and reconciled to God. 

Revelations1:5 and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

2 Corinthians 5:20-21 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.  For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. NKJ

We are to no longer judge people according to their, ethnicity, economic or social status.  We are not to judge people because of their former lifestyle, because if they are in Christ they have been given a new birth and are a new creation in Christ. The old things that had them entrapped and enslaved to their old lifestyle, such as hate, unforgiveness and the disdain for others, have been forgiven by Christ.   God is in the process of making them new by transforming their minds, the way they think and thereby their actions. 

2 Corinthians 5: 16-17 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 

In Christ, we are a new creation, the old things that we were a part of, is no longer part of who we are, they are passing awayand we are becoming new in Christ for the old has died. We should no longer look at a person from the world’s view, those who are in bondage to the addictions of this world, but to see them as God’s Image bearer. God created all humanity in His image.

Genesis 1:26-28 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”  So, God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” NKJ

All humanity is made in the likeness of God and all are image bears of God, whom he created and loves. God is constantly pursuing after us, wanting us to turn from darkness to HisMarvelous Light. Though the enemy has marred humanity so that they no longer know or understand their created purpose, God is continuously coming after, wooing and engaging us to turn to Him.  But He always leaves the choice up to us as part of our God given, sovereign will. 

2 Corinthians 5: 14-15 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again

The love of God compels, requires and coerces every Christ follower to judge others worthy of God’s salvation because they too are the image bearers of God. The lifestyle of all Followers of Christ should reflect God’s love and this show of love will beused to appeal to others, that through us the love of Christ will be seen and shown to the lost

Just as Jesus who was sinless became sin for us so that we might be made right with God. We too can, face humiliation,shamed or disgraced and still be humble before others, while allowing the love of Christ to live through us so that a life or a soul may be saved!

The ministry of reconciliation is to reunite people back into a relationship and the family of God through the gospel of salvation. Which is, Christ died to destroy the barrier that was between us and God and now we may live an abundant life. The love of God gives us all hope that we can be reconciled and transformed not just into the image of God but into His character, His nature and integrity, because of the love God has shown us through Christ. 

Everyone’s ministry is to be reconciled to God and to one another. It is the love we show to one another and the unlovely that the world may know they too can be reconciled to God. 

John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

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Without a Vision, The People Perish / People are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge  

Many young and old people are perishing because they have no vision of who they are or their created purpose. They therefore have no hope for themselves or those around them. Many cannot see past the life they are trapped in, whether it be in their homes or neighborhoods. What they believe are the lies of the enemy and all they see is death and destruction, the very thing the enemy uses to get them to give up on life and live without hope.

Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. KJV

People are being destroyed because they lack the knowledge of who they truly are, the image bearers of God. All humanity was created in God’s image for God’s purpose and that alone brings them value, worth and respect. God created mankind and gave them authority over all the earth to rule and to reign in earth as He does in heaven.  Satan the deceiver, destroyer and manslayer swindled and cheated mankind and they gave over this authority to a thief, the one who kills, steals and destroys.  

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children. ASV

Many people ask why did God create this terrible place and allow such horrible things. God did not mankind did. God created a perfect world where mankind could live in harmony with each other, their God and nature but they gave all this authority over to the destroyer. God gave all authority of the earth over to mankind and give them the autonomy, sovereignty and a will to make choices for themselves and they chose to have faith in Satan’s lies rather than God’s faithfulness. Humanity is free to make choices for their lives but they are not free from the consequences of their choices. 

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Though mankind gave Satan authority over all they had, God would not leave us in that fallen state. God promised to send another man, the Second Adam, who would redeem humanity back to God. Jesus came as a man with the authority of man and lived the life God had ordained for mankind. Jesus died in our place and conquered Satan who had the power over death and gave mankind another chance to choose life over death.

1 Corinthians 15:47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.

Hebrews 2:14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

All humanity is made in the likeness of God and are image bears of God, whom he created and love. God constantly pursues after us wanting us to turn from darkness to His Light. Though the enemy has marred humanity so that they no longer know or understand their created purpose, God is continuously coming after, wooing and engaging us to turn to Him.  But He always leave the choice up to us as part of our God given, sovereign will. 

Jeremiah 29:11-12 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. NIV

God made all creation but His thoughts are on mankind. His mind is full of thoughts of giving to all humanity hope and a future so that they will not live in despair and hopelessness during this life. But rather to seek after the things of God not only in this life but the next also. 

In Psalm 8:5 the word angel was translated from the word Elohiym which means God/deity. This is the same name God gave Himself in Genesis 1:1 In the beginning Elohiym created the heavens and earth. And He crowned them with glory and honor. For this reason alone, all humanity is due respect, even the least of these. That includes those who are living in the streets in despair, selling all they have, to fulfill all the cravings and desires of their bodies. There are also those who have lost their way and reek with the stench of life on them. Jesus said as much as you have given to the least of these, you have given to God. 

Psalms 8:4-6 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,human beings that you care for them?  You have made them alittle lower than the angels (Elohiym) and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands;

you put everything under their feet:

Matthew 25:40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’  NIV

Humanity is very important to God and He has sent Jesus to reconcile us back to Himself. God has also given us the ministry of reconciliation, to help those who have no hope, no vision and lack the knowledge and understanding of who they are as image bearers of God. 

2 Corinthians 5:16-19 So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!  All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:  that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 

Again, people are perishing because they do not see, know or can visualize their worth and value as the image bearers of God, The Almighty Creator, Elohiym. 

God has given us the ministry of reconciling His image bearers back to Himself. To reconcile is to make peace with the unfriendly or unlovely and who are often are antagonistic, hostile and hurtful.  But they are not unlovable, God so loved the world that He gave His best to save the least. 

Just as Jesus died that we could live, we too must die to self-importance and pride that others may live. We cannot be easily offended or wallow in self-pity when hurt people say hurtful things. We are to die to self, so that we can produce much fruit in the lives of others.

John 12:24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 

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Love is God’s Gift of Christmas – Jesus is our Gift of Love  

The spirit of Christmas is Love and Grace which God has given us in Christ Jesus! God is showing His love, favor, kindness, and goodwill to all humanity, through the life of His SonJesus Christ. 

God’s grace provides us with what we cannot obtain for ourselves. His love and mercy have provided the payment for our sin. His grace gives us forgiveness of sin, which is undeserved, unmerited and unearned, but is a gift from God through faith. We too can express God’s love through kindness, goodwill and generosity toward others who may not deserve it, but we may still give it regardless of their merit. 

God so loved this world that He gave His best, Jesus, to save us even when we were in our worst state. God loved us while we were still lost and an enemy toward God and yet, He expressed His love in the Precious Gift of Christ our Savior. God sacrifices and gives His love even though it may not be received, reciprocated or returned.

 John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. NIV

 Jesus emptied Himself of all His rights as The Prince of all, and He humbled Himself to be born of flesh, in humanity as a childon earth. He was born as the Son of man and restricted Himself to a life in a fallen world, fixed in an appointed time and spacefor the service of others. Jesus came to show the grace, mercy and love God has for all mankind. 

 Luke 2: 10-11 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. NKJ

 God gave us His best gift; Jesus Christ His Son! The angels sang of this joy that has come to all humanity and we, His creation, responded in worship with thanksgiving to God. Wise men sought Jesus, the Savior of the world and brought gifts to honor the Child who was born to be King of kings over all the earth. Wise men are still seeking Jesus and are still giving gifts to honor Jesus as Lord and King. 

These wise men went looking for the Christ though it was at a great cost and with much preparation. They came from a far country to search out where Jesus was born to give great and costly gifts that they had prepared for the One who was worthy of all, Jesus our Lord and King,

These gifts were to show honor to the God in heaven and tomake provision for Mary, Joseph and the Christ Child. We bring honor to God today when we make provision for His children and give to those created in God’s image. When we give to the least of those in humanity, those who are in need on the earth, we are giving to God.

 Proverbs 19:17 When you give to the poor, it is like lending to the LORD, and the LORD will pay you back. GNT

 We should make it our tradition and to teach our children that the true Spirit of Christmas is to give the gift of grace, love and forgiveness to those, who some may feel, are undeserving. Christmas in not about focusing on ourselves and our friends but about being an example of God’s love.  We are to give to those who may not have earned it, but out of God’s love, graceand mercy to us, we give gifts to others. We should show love to honor our Lord and King by giving forgiveness and showing kindness to those who are without strength or income. 

We should be determined to express the love that Christ has shown us, to those around us who lack and are underserved. We should show the world that Christmas is about the greatest gift ever given, Jesus our Lord and Savior.  Therefore, we want to give this good and great gift of our Father’s love, to others. 

 Romans 5:6, 8 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 Jesus walked in the grace of God as a man to fulfill His purpose. We are given and have access to that same power today, through the Holy Spirit. God has given us the ministry of reconciliation and the command to love others as He has loved us. 

It is during the season of Christmas we desire even more to give this gift of grace to others and we make deliberate determinations to express this Spirit of Christmas, through love and grace to those around us. During this time of the year the whole world softens its heart to express kindness and to show compassion to others. How much more should we, who are in the household and family of God, express His Grace to those who are without hope?

 Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. NKJ

 This Christmas let us give the gift of Christ’s grace, love, mercy and forgiveness. In a word of encouragement, in an expression of concern, in the displaying of love to those who may be ill tempered and unlovely but who are in desperate need of God’s love.

 Ephesians 4:7,12 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measures of Christ’s gift… for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, NKJ

 Jesus is our reason for Christmas; He is our gift of grace and the reason we give to those around us. Jesus came and provided what we could not provide for ourselves, forgiveness and hope. 

So let us choose to be the provision that someone may need during this Christmas season. Let us be as the wise men of old and prepare gifts for our Sovereign King to show honor and to worship Him, through the people we encounter during this season.  

 

 

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Our Weapons of Warfare are Spiritual – Not Worldly Weapons  

God has given us weapons of warfare and the armor we will need to protect and equip us in this spiritual battle. As in natural wars there are weapons and coverings used to protect the people from hurt and harm. God has given us a full armor to protect us so that we may be victorious and conquerors in the battles we are engaged in. 

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We receive power from The Holy Spirit to be witnesses for Christ. Godempowers us to love the unlovely, to tell others of His grace, love, mercy and brings us into reconciliation with Himself and others. Also, God has shown us His compassion and forgiveness, which we should display andto show others that God will forgive them also. 

Ephesians 6:11-12 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Our fight is not against flesh and blood, or those who the enemy is using to offend us, to anger or ensnare us with hate or pride. Our fight is against the evil spirit behind those who have been entrapped and our fight is to set them and ourselves free from Satan’s tactics. Our good fight is about our faith, to believe God has set us free and will set them free too. 

Ephesians 4:21-24 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

We are to know and study the weapons that God has given us in His word, which are available to us. Every soldier goes through training before they are sent on the battlefield, they are taught what weapons they will use and how to use them. No army will train their soldiers on the battlefield, they would be destroyed before they even picked-up their weapons. When we know God’s word and have faith in His promises we are able to stand on His word even before the battle. 

Ephesians 6:14a Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, 

We are to stand firm in the truth of God’s love for us, the truth that we are never alone and that He will never leave or forsake us. Also the truth that we are the beloved children of God and have been set free of fear, hate,oppression and lack. 

It is the belt of the truth, buckled around our waist, which is the word of God that keeps us standing up. Just as the belt keeps our clothing from falling off, when we have His truth firmly buckled around us, the truth of Who God is will not fall from us or fail us.  

Ephesians 6:14b -with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 

We must understand we are righteous and in right standing with God because of Jesus’ Righteousness. Our righteousness is not of ourselves, it is not in how good, pure or right we have been, because we have all fallen short of God’s requirements. But it is the Righteousness of Christ, and the life He lived for us which is the breastplate that covers our bodies and keeps our hearts.  Jesus is our breastplate; He guards our hearts from hurtsand gives us the desire and ability to be generous and kind to those who are in need and those who are unlike us. 

Ephesians 6:15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 

We are told to live in peace, as much as it is within our ability, we are to be at peace with everyone. That is our side of the street, to forgive others, to extend the olive branch of peace. We are not to look to avenge ourselves, that is God’s responsibility. Because it is a choice of our will, we can be at peace with everyone. We should decide to make the choice to be at peace regardless of how others may feel about us or treat us.  

Romans 12:17-19 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. NIV

Ephesians 6:16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 

It is our faith in God that can shield us from the fiery darts of Satan. Faith is simply believing in God’s love for us and believing and knowing what God says is true. We are more than conquerors and we can do all things through Christ because He strengthens us. It is a ploy of the enemy to make us think we should go through life without troubles, but it is the truth of God that says nothing can separate us from His love. Not the things we experience, nor the things we lack, no attack from the enemy not even death can isolate us from the love God has for us in Christ Jesus. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Romans 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.NIV

Ephesians 6:17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. NIV

The helmet of salvation is the armor that protects our mind and soul through our persistent and constant thinking on God’s word. We are tocontinue to ponder and reflect on the goodness of God and the salvationHe has provided for us through faith in Jesus Christ. 

The sword of the Spirit, is the true and accurate knowledge of the word of God. It was the accurate speaking of God’s word that Jesus used to defeat Satan in the wilderness. Satan will always misuse and misrepresent the word of God to mankind to try to entrap them as he did in the Garden of Eden. Satan told Eve if she wanted to be like God she should eat the fruit, but God had already proclaimed they were like God, created in His image. All she had to do was stand on the truth of God’s word. 

God says His people perish, for the lack of the accurate knowledge of His word. Most people will rely only on what they have been told by others, who may be less than knowledgeable in God’s word. Rather than spend time alone in God’s word and asking the Holy Spirit to give them the true knowledge, and understanding. Many may fail to study and know the truth of His word for themselves. 

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. NKJ

Luke 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’

Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. NIV

Praying is our communion with God, it is our fellowship with God and it is our connection with one another. To pray in the Spirit, that is in the power of the Holy Spirit Who prays and intercede for us with word we are unable to utter. The Holy Spirit prays for those things we need but are unaware that we are in need.  

Satan will always come and try to deceive humanity with some twisted or distorted truth. It is when we know the accurate truth of God’s word that we are able to stand without compromise

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