Every farmer knows that even more important than the seed is the preparation of the soil. It must have the proper sun exposure and drainage, the ph balance has to be tested. Before you plant your first seed, you must be sure that your soil is good. I need all the help I can get because unlike some of my friends, I don’t have a green thumb. Different seed, different soil. But if you want the optimal nutritional value from your food, it must be planted in the correct soil. Not only that, but after you plant it, it needs to be fertilized, watered, weeded and cared for. Then, there’s the harvest of what you’ve planted. You don’t want everything in your garden to ripen at the same time because that would be a canning/freezing nightmare. Nobody has time for all that!

Often in the scriptures, Jesus talked in parables of farming because they were things that common people understood. So this morning while reading about how you don’t put new wine into old wine skins or patch old clothing with new fabric that hasn’t been shrunken first, I asked the Lord what he was referring to and somehow, I felt it was about our mindsets or hearts. I turned to Ephesians 3:16-19 GNT and found Paul saying; I ask God from the wealth of his glory to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves, and I pray that Christ will make his home in your hearts through faith. I pray that you may have your roots and foundation in love, so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ’s love. Yes, may you come to know his love—although it can never be fully known—and so be completely filled with the very nature of God.

“I pray that you may have your roots and foundations in love, so that you, together with all God’s people, may have the power to understand how broad and long, how high and deep, is Christ’s love.” The soil of our hearts must be love to understand the love of God. If our soil isn’t right, than our produce won’t be right. New heart of love. Ezekiel 11:19, ^“I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their stubborn heart of stone and will give them an obedient heart.” Our old mindset cannot receive the nature of God, but he said to renew our minds by watering it with the Word. Gardens don’t produce without water, neither does our hearts produce without the Word of God.

The other key ingredient was the Holy Spirit; “to give you power through his Spirit to be strong in your inner selves.” The Spirit is key to distributing or giving understanding to our new minds. He’s the one that leads us into all truth. He gives us good harvest. The soil must be love and God is Love. God is the Master Gardner and His harvest will be souls, but only if we surrender ourselves to the new soil of Love. We can do and do and do good things but if we are not prompted by love, our harvest will be perverted and puny. Let’s get our soil right so our harvest will be plentiful.

Ephesians 6:10-13 ERV;  To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power.  Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks.  Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places.  That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

Last night at church, we heard a powerful teaching about spiritual warfare, specifically in dealing with the spirit of witchcraft. I will list the 10 things given, not to focus on those things, but to remind us all that we are fighting a spiritual battle that sometimes manifests with physical symptoms:

1. Spirit of confusion-can’t think straight
2. Quitting-leave, move, done
3. Isolation-step away, makes you look unfaithful and undependable
4. Magnifying Faults-in others, in yourself
5. Weakness, Heaviness & fatigue-physically tired, no energy, any little stress wipes you out
6. Lethargic-apathetic
7. Vain Imaginations-Any thoughts to keep your mind occupied
8. Fear-sometimes paralyzing
9. Old Sicknesses Return-What you had got victory over before, returns to you
10. Depression

We can’t escape opposition. We are part of the remnant and there WILL be battle but we must recognize that even with physical symptoms, it’s a battle that must be won in the spirit realm. That’s what Paul was writing to the Ephesians, it’s not about what you see, hear of feel in the natural, it’s all connected to what’s happening in the spirit realm and we must arm ourselves with Gods mighty armor. Don’t allow the enemy to lull you into forcing your focus on what’s going on in your family, your finances, your future. Don’t let him rob you of your peace and strength by creating such a storm that you’re afraid to get out of the boat. Put your armor on and fight!

Ephesians 6:14-18: So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living.  On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong.  And also use the shield of faith (faith in a God that is able!) with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One.  Accept God’s salvation as your helmet (Know who you are in Christ and what He has redeemed you from). And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching (Word) of God.  Pray in the Spirit at all times (If you don’t understand this, read Acts and ask for your prayer language). Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people. (added by me)

Nowhere in the Bible does it say you to believe on the Lord Jesus and go back to living life as usual. It says, “Follow Me!” If you want to know what that life looks like, read the gospels. Find out how our Lord walked, his life of prayer, how he listened and obeyed, served, ministered, healed, was attacked for his words and deeds, dealt with the devil over and over again, didn’t give up or quit! That’s why our prayer life is so important and that’s why the devil will try every distraction possible to keep you from doing it. Like Paul, I pray in the spirit every chance I get; in the car, the shower, at my desk, in the bed during the night, doing dishes, when my mind is idle. I won’t give my thought life time to discourage me, depress me, make me hopeless. I’m through with that life! Doesn’t mean that the devil doesn’t try, I just give him no place to land. As soon as he tries, I swat him with the Word of God.

Just like you, my life has not been easy. I’ve had him attack my friendships, my marriage, my children, my grandchildren, my finances, my job, my finances again (probably because we’re givers!), my children again, my husband relentlessly, my mind constantly but here’s the key, I recognize that it’s the enemy and when I pull out the Word and throw it at him and he know’s that I know and have faith in that Word to deliver me, he HAS to leave. So I encourage you, the remnant to hang on by your fingernails if you have to. Find a partner in prayer who will help you battle through in times when you’re weary. Don’t just go to church, go to prayer. Get in the Word for ammunition. Fast if you have to, some things only come out by prayer and fasting. I know it’s hard, I like to eat too, but if you’re dealing with a resistant spirit, you gotta do what you gotta do.

If you’re a blood bought child of God, if you’re alive and breathing, the devil is after you, but he’ll only attack those who are really a threat to him and his territory, those who know the Word and how to use it. Just remind him that he’s already defeated and there’s a place for him-hell, his final resting place. HA! WE WIN!!!

I wonder sometimes if we truly remember who we are. I guess what I’m trying to say is this; we were created in the image and likeness of God, not merely the way he looks, but the way He operates. He made us to be like Him, not that we are God, but we are gods on the earth, created to rule and reign here as He rules in heaven. Please don’t take me wrong, but if our father is a King, that makes us princes and princesses. If our Father is God we are gods serving and ruling under Him. Psalm 82:6- I said, ‘You are “gods.” You are all sons of God Most High.’ Psalm 95:3-because the Lord is the great God, the great King over all gods.

Perhaps it’s because we don’t see ourselves in the position of authority He gave us that we don’t take our lives seriously. It all begins by knowing who you are and knowing whose you are. You only get that from reading His Word and knowing that we serve a very powerful and awesome God. His ways are so different from the ways of the world. He speaks and the power of His Words changes things. That’s how He made us to function as well. Imitators of God. Jesus himself only did what he saw the Father do, only spoke what He heard the Father say. He was our example!

So to say what we want without any thought, to give our ‘opinion’ without consulting the Word is foolishness. We create strife and fear when we speak doubt and unbelief. We create disease and sickness when we speak an bad or evil report, when we come into agreement with anything but the Word of God. We think nothing of cursing other drivers because they don’t drive like we think they should. We curse our politicians instead of praying for them as God instructed us to do. We shake our fist at God and blame Him for every bad thing that happens in our lives but the truth is, “The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.” Proverbs 18:21

The best part is that if we confess our wrongs, He is faithful to forgive them, wash them away forever under His blood. We can ask Him to forgive every word spoken in error, to stop curses spoken over us and others. We can’t change on our own! We just don’t have it in us. But thankfully, He sent us His Holy Spirit to guide us and lead us into all truth. His truth is our shield. Perhaps today would be a good day to pick up our Shield and our Sword (the Word of God) and use our words correctly.

Thank you Father that you’ve placed your Word in us so that it would be strength to us. Just as you sent forth your Word to heal, today I send your Word to heal. All those words we’ve spoken without thinking of how they will affect us and others, forgive them. Today as we go about our business, keep us ever mindful of your Word in us and the accountability those words carry. Make us fruitful in good deeds and not evil. In Jesus’ Name and for YOUR glory. Amen

I am aware of you. I sense you standing near, hovering, waiting for an invitation to participate with me in my daily stuff, my mundane routine. A mere glance your way and you rush in like a sudden breeze on a warm muggy day. How do you do that? You blow away all doubt and insecurity with your grand entrance. Your excitement is contagious. I suddenly feeling like a child again. Want to play a game? You’re it! Ha! But I can’t run fast enough to escape your touch. I can’t jump high enough enough to avoid you. You’re everywhere yet here you are.

You invite me to live life free. No worries, no responsibility, no debt, no pain, no anguish, only the peace of your presence and the stillness of your grace. I’m sitting here with a huge smile on my face, a silly grin really. I feel as light as a feather, as high as a kite, floating above the ground just watching.  Nothing can touch me here. Nothing can spoil my view. One moment I was sitting here at my desk, the next I’m on my Fathers shoulders, riding the clouds, listening to the wind. All I hear is laughter. Thousands of children laughing, running, playing. I love that sound, don’t you? (Matthew 19:14) Perhaps that’s why you let me hear it because there is nothing like the sound of children laughing to lighten your spirit and make you smile.

My heart is stilled by the thought of how much you love me. I’ve been loved, but not like this. It’s like you’ve opened up my heart and expanded it’s capacity to give and receive love. It’s the key that opens the gates of your Kingdom. Love. Not our puny selfish love, but your pure and simple love. I John 3:1 says; What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to.

Could it really be that simple? We search for the key to unlock the great mysteries of God and it’s simply LOVE? You said that we must love like you love. Was that how Jesus did so many miracles? Is that where His power came from? I John 4:8 says, He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. If you are Love and we invite you to live in us, we are also love. You will recognize us when you return to get us because you will find Love in each of us, that’s how you’ll find your bride, your remnant on the earth. Love. Little pieces of Love on the earth, invading the dark places, covering sin, finding the lost, lifting hopelessness, setting free the captives. This world has not yet seen that kind of LOVE. Please, oh please, pretty please with sugar on top, PICK ME!

I was reading an article this morning entitled, “Don’t Miss The Boat” by Bonnie Jones off the Elijah List. She had a vision of a small boat being boarded by people. Suddenly a woman ran back to take care of some unfinished business. People yelled, “The boat is leaving now!” but she continued to walk away. Suddenly, she looked back and ran frantically toward the water but it was too late, the boat was already launched and there were no oars for them to return to her.

Then I thought of Luke 9:57-62: They were all traveling along the road. Someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you anywhere you go.”  He answered, “The foxes have holes to live in. The birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place where he can rest his head.” Jesus said to another man, “Follow me!” But the man said, “Lord, let me go and bury my father first.”  But Jesus said to him, “Let the people who are dead bury their own dead. You must go and tell about God’s kingdom.”  Another man said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus said, “Anyone who begins to plow a field but looks back is not prepared for God’s kingdom.”

God is looking for a people who will leave the comforts of their earthly life for the Kingdoms sake. Those who feel the call, are hungry for more but look back or go back to take care of their flesh needs or desires are not prepared. It says it right there in Luke, I didn’t make this up. This is what it means to follow Jesus, read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Jesus said, “Come and follow me!” What did they do? They left everything to follow Jesus! Everything and everyone. That’s why there were so few. No one was ready or willing to make that kind of sacrifice.

Today, the same call, the same few. Who will lay down their self will, their daily business, their own comfort for the Kingdom? “Wait for my mom and dad to die, then I’ll be free to serve you,” or “Wait till I retire, it’s only in a few years, than I can be free to go and follow you!” Jesus is looking for those who will forsake all but we are still trusting in our own self and our own means to do what only God desires to do for us. You may say, ‘These are different times! God wouldn’t ask us to do that now days. It’s just not acceptable anymore. How would we support our families? Where would we get health insurance?’ Me me me me me. If I don’t take care of it, who will?

Do you see that? It’s the woman running back to take care of something before boarding the boat and she missed it. I don’t want to miss it! I don’t want to be so full of the cares of this life and deceitfulness of riches that I miss following Jesus at one of the most important times of life. Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Father, there’s a battle going on in my soul. One that rends my heart in two. Part of me, a large part of me wants to run after you, leave everything for you. The other part, the ‘responsible’ part, is having a difficult time doing that. I trust you but I’m afraid. What will it look like? What will it feel like? I’m excited but scared. If I take this plunge, if I go ‘all in’ for the Kingdom, I know you’ll never leave me or forsake me. I know you’ll use me in ways I’ve never been used before. I know that my steps are ordered and you have territory for me to take for you. I hear you calling, “Follow me!” Take all my reservations now, all that’s holding onto my heart, all the cravings of my flesh I’ve become used to, I lay it all down. Let’s do this! I am Remnant!

Sometimes it’s just never enough. We want more money, a better home, bigger car, better job, a different job. Someone gives you a car and you wish it were red instead of green. So it was with the Israelites as they wandered in the dessert, nothing was ever enough. It was here in Numbers 11 that I began reading this morning. Let’s start in verse 10; Moses heard all the people complaining as they stood around in groups at the entrances of their tents. He was distressed because the Lord had become angry with them, ¹¹ and he said to the Lord, “Why have you treated me so badly? Why are you displeased with me? Why have you given me the responsibility for all these people?¹² I didn’t create them or bring them to birth! Why should you ask me to act like a nurse and carry them in my arms like babies all the way to the land you promised to their ancestors? ¹³ Where could I get enough meat for all these people? They keep whining and asking for meat. ¹⁴ I can’t be responsible for all these people by myself; it’s too much for me! ¹⁵ If you are going to treat me like this, have pity on me and kill me, so that I won’t have to endure your cruelty any longer.”

Whining had become contagious, even Moses caught it. I’m sure every pastor in the world has felt this way at one time or another. Seriously! He had had enough! What happened next surprised me a bit. Perhaps I was so engaged in how the Lord went from raining down manna to raining down quail for a month that I overlooked his provision to Moses. Verses 16 & 17; The Lord said to Moses, “Assemble seventy respected men who are recognized as leaders of the people, bring them to me at the Tent of my presence, and tell them to stand there beside you. ¹⁷ I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the spirit I have given you and give it to them. Then they can help you bear the responsibility for these people, and you will not have to bear it alone.” Then verses 24 & 25; So Moses went out and told the people what the Lord had said. He assembled seventy of the leaders and placed them around the Tent. ²⁵ Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him. He took some of the spirit he had given to Moses and gave it to the seventy leaders. When the spirit came on them, they began to shout like prophets, but not for long.

And we thought the day of Pentecost was the first Gods Spirit was poured out, look at that. When the Spirit came on them, they began to shout like prophets. Why? Because when the Spirit of God comes on you it is just too powerful to remain silent. So instead of just Moses being in charge of 600,000 people, God set up 70 men, filled with the Spirit of God to help Moses. I’m sure these men thought they’d experienced everything, but that single experience of the power and presence of God coming out of them was an unforgettable experience.

That’s what happens to us when we ask for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us, he gives us boldness to be his witnesses, to prophesy, to lay hands on the sick expecting results. So many of us have never tapped into that power. So many of us have just been content to feel the goosebumps and feel the presence of the Lord. We dabble but that’s as far as we allow the experience to go. We keep it for us instead of doing what it was meant for, be witnesses. We were made for this. To be filled with the wisdom of God, to be His mouthpiece, hands and feet to take the power of God with us to the world.

When we whine, it angers God. When we praise, it makes him smile. I don’t want to make him angry. I don’t want to eat quail until it comes out my ears and I get so sick of it I choke. The chapter ends like this: While there was still plenty of meat for them to eat, the Lord became angry with the people and caused an epidemic to break out among them. That place was named Kibroth Hattaavah (which means “Graves of Craving”), because there they buried the people who had craved meat.

When we become dissatisfied with Gods provision, it invites things into our lives that we don’t want anywhere near us. I’m not saying that at times, the enemy tries to discourage us, I’m saying that we need to watch our attitude and our words. In the middle of what we’re going through, break out in praise for what He’s done for you in the past. Thank Him for blessing you, providing food to eat and a place to sleep. Remind Him of His unfailing love, deep tender mercy and grace, yes grace; unmerited, undeserved favor on your life. He’s just simply been too good to you for you to focus on your losses. I will end with verse 23; “Is there a limit to my power?” the Lord answered. “You will soon see whether what I have said will happen or not!” God always keeps His Word!

Isaiah 53:10-12  But the Lord was pleased with this humble servant who suffered such pain. Even after giving himself as an offering for sin, he will see his descendants and enjoy a long life. He will succeed in doing what the Lord wanted.  After his suffering he will see the light, and he will be satisfied with what he experienced. The Lord says, “My servant, who always does what is right, will make his people right with me; he will take away their sins. For this reason, I will treat him as one of my great people. I will give him the rewards of one who wins in battle, and he will share them with his powerful ones. I will do this because he gave his life for the people. He was considered a criminal, but the truth is, he carried away the sins of many. Now he will stand before me and speak for those who have sinned.”

As I read this entire chapter this morning, it was like I was listening to Paul or Peter depicting what had happened, but this was Isaiah, a prophet who spoke these things years before Jesus came to earth to be our savior. What a beautiful illustration of prophesy, saying those things that are not yet as though they already are. It really reminds me of how God spoke the worlds into existence, his creation of man and woman, everything throughout the ages has been spoken into existence. Wow. 

“Now he will stand before me and speak for those who have sinned.” Sounds a bit like Paul in Hebrews 7:25, “That is why he is always able to save those who come to God through him. He can do this because he always lives and intercedes for them.” What a powerful lawyer we have; Jesus. He stands up to the prosecutor and says, “No, I paid for that. My blood has covered that sin. You can’t bring that up anymore!” To that the Judge says, “Case dismissed!” All the charges brought against me forever forgiven, forever gone. It’s as if I never sinned, never did wrong, never! How can this be? How can I feel the way I do and still be free of sin? I’ll tell you how; Jesus blood covers it all. My mind will forget when it remembers the power of that blood. 

There is nothing that makes sense to me until it’s received and processed through my spirit. My mind can’t comprehend it, it thinks too small. But my God made a way, a narrow path that I can walk that leads to Him. Romans 10:8-10; What it says is this: “God’s message is near you, on your lips and in your heart”—that is, the message of faith that we preach.  If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised him from death, you will be saved.  For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.

That pathway is constructed by the words I speak, ‘on your lips and in your heart’. When I say, “I believe Jesus is Lord, that he gave his life for my sins and that God raised him from the dead”, I will be saved. It’s through my words, my confession. Jesus took this a bit further when he showed how important our words are in Matthew 12:36-37 “You can be sure that on the Judgment Day you will have to give account of every useless word you have ever spoken. Your words will be used to judge you—to declare you either innocent or guilty.” Every useless word? NKJV says idle, which means non productive or non working. Our words were meant to do something. Our problem lies in the fact that we don’t believe our own words. Our words were meant to be a road to God, a road that leads us where Jesus is making intercession for us.

No wonder this is a road rarely traveled. No wonder it’s a narrow path that few find. Everyone goes for the path most traveled, doing what everyone else does. It’s not popular to read the bible anymore, to meditate on Gods Word, to go to church and be different from the world. People want to fit in, not stand out. I may be socially unexpected, visibly different, weird in many ways, but I’m loved by the one that matters. I have peace and joy, I jump and shout when I worship, I’m loud, boisterous, I pray always, may be found ‘talking to myself’, get excited when someone says Jesus cause I think I may have stumbled on another one like me. My favorite thing to do is talk about the Lord, His Word, His great powerful love. Mention His name to me and my eyes might light up, I lean in to listen, to see if you love him too.

Jesus, thank you for always standing up for me. I love you so much. You paid such a price to save me from my sin and I’m so thankful. What can I do for you? How can I repay you for the wonderful things you’ve done? I know, I will simply offer you my life. To be willing to stop what I’m doing long enough to say to others what I know is true; Jesus loves you. Perhaps if they see it in my eyes and feel it in my passion, they’ll believe in you too.

Ever asked, “Why me?” Why is this happening to me? What did I do to deserve this? Where did I go wrong? Why can’t I catch a break? When will it be my turn? I’m sure we’ve all either said it or thought it at one time or another. Psalm 11:7 says; The Lord always does what is right, and he loves seeing people do right. Those who live good lives will be with him.

If we really believe that God is God and that he always has our best interest at heart, then why can’t we trust the path we’re on and go where He leads us? If everything were perfect, we wouldn’t need God. The harder the season, the more we pray. Perhaps God just wants us to talk with him, walk with him, trust in him and depend fully on him. When you’re in a season of ‘why’s’, perhaps you should trade your ‘why’ for a praise. What do I mean by that?

I Thessalonians 5:18 simply says, “Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus.” Let’s begin to be thankful. Thank you that this is happening to me, because I can come to you and watch you turn the situation around for my good. Thank you that you trust me enough to walk this path, you know that I depend on you to bring me through it better than what I was, stronger than I was in the past. Thank you for directing my steps, like it says in the Psalms, my steps are ordered by you and you delight in the plans you have for me. We’re on this past for a reason, strengthen me for this season. Thank you Lord that at the right time, when you will receive all the glory, my breakthrough will come. You said you’ll never leave me or forsake me and that’s enough for me. When I’m weak, you’re strong and your strength is sufficient. You’re a wonderful Father.

You see, we have a choice in how we face things that come against us. It may not be the way you’re used to, but you can change the way you speak by changing the way you think. Think on His Word. When you’re in a tough spot and don’t know what to do, go to the rock of your salvation, go to Jesus, talk to Him. Don’t whine and complain, be thankful. Thankful praise turns the head of God, it gets His attention faster than whining.

Father, thank you for this reminder. You do have my best interest in mind everyday. I will set my heart to praise you daily and watch as you are glorified in me and my life. Let my lips bring forth your praises everyday and in everyway.

This morning I was thinking about the glory of God, what it is and how it affects us as Christians. First, I needed to understand what glory is; Glory, as defined in the Old Testament (kabowd), means “abundance, riches, honor, splendor, dignity, reverence, and weight.” It is a most glorious and exalted state to be in. It is the revelation and manifestation of all that He has and is. Well, I definitely liked that, especially the ‘riches’ part. But somehow, I felt it meant so much more than anything we could possible imagine in our worldly realm, so I began to imagine what heaven is like.

According to accounts heard of people who have died and gone there or had visions of heaven and even the Word of God itself, we know the streets are paved with gold. We know that there are gates of pearls and every jewel known to man. We know that the colors of heaven make our colors look lifeless and dim and that the music of heaven has notes we’ve yet to discover. We know there are angels, majestic beings that do the will of God, who sing around his throne and proclaim his goodness and we’re not talking one or two, but hundreds of thousands, some who war, all doing as the Father instructs.

I think the part I like most about the glory of God is the part that says, “It is the revelation and manifestation of all that He has and is.” I realize just how little I know of God. As much as I do know, it’s small in comparison to all that He has and is. I have not yet seen His glory. I’ve felt His power in waves that took my breath away, gave me strong goose bumps and left me limp and weeping. But I know that that is only the affect of the glory, like feeling the wind from a hurricane as it’s coming towards you. We know there is more and brace ourselves for its powerful impact by boarding up our houses and making all things secure, but when His Glory comes, it will blow out our walls of hindrances, everything that can be shaken will be shaken. We will see and know all that He has and is.

Ephesians 3:16-19 AMP; May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, that you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Do you see that? We have the rich treasure of His Glory in us by way of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who leads us into all truth. He is the one who reveals the Glory of God to us. We are His workmanship, created in his image so that He may dwell in us, vessels not made by hands but made by Him. We, mere humans, were made to contain His Glory. Oh my! I must make room for him to dwell in me. I must surrender the areas of misuse, pride of life, unforgiveness, selfishness, anger, hatred, gluttony, lust of the flesh, deceitfulness, all must go so there is more room for Him, the King of Glory. More of Him, less of me. 

Oh Father, I want to be wholly filled and flooded with you. Wash me and I will be clean. Turn on the garden hose and put it on me, in me, I MUST be all yours with nothing held back, nothing missing or broken. I must be yours and yours alone. Now that I’ve seen what you desire, I want what you desire more than what I desire. Your plan-bigger than mine. I am not my own. I’ve been purchased with great sacrifice to yourself, your Son, your gift to me so that I could share in your Glory. Sobering. I breathe you in and exhale all of me. Fill me with your Glory, just as you did your Son while He was here on earth, so we will be filled and be many more brothers and sisters of Christ, rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. I will ponder this all day so that I may attend to your ways. 

Luke 1:29-38 MSG; She was thoroughly shaken, wondering what was behind a greeting like that. But the angel assured her, “Mary, you have nothing to fear. God has a surprise for you: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son and call his name Jesus. He will be great, be called ‘Son of the Highest.’ The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; He will rule Jacob’s house forever—no end, ever, to his kingdom.” Mary said to the angel, “But how? I’ve never slept with a man.” The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.

 “And did you know that your cousin Elizabeth conceived a son, old as she is? Everyone called her barren, and here she is six months pregnant! Nothing, you see, is impossible with God.” And Mary said, Yes, I see it all now: I’m the Lord’s maid, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say. Then the angel left her.

God is looking for people who will believe what He says, even if it makes no sense and seems totally impossible. He’s looking throughout the whole earth for anyone who will say, “I am yours, Lord, ready to serve. Let it be with me just as you say.”  So many of us need to see it to believe it. Perhaps God has spoken something to you that seems so far off, so impossible, your mindset needs to be like Mary’s, yielded and willing. Notice the angel didn’t scold her when she asked how, he answered her and told her how it would happen. It’s not wrong to ask, it is wrong to not believe.

It was pretty much the same thing Jesus told his disciples in Mark 11:22-24 ERV; Jesus answered, “Have faith in God. The truth is, you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, mountain, fall into the sea.’ And if you have no doubts in your mind and believe that what you say will happen, then God will do it for you.  So I tell you to ask for what you want in prayer. And if you believe that you have received those things, then they will be yours.” 

So it simply comes down to this; who is your faith in? Who do you trust? Are you yielded and willing? That doesn’t mean you won’t be persecuted or hated. It doesn’t mean that people around you will embrace your promise with you. No! Just as Mary was a disgrace to the community, talked about by the town gossips, so will you be. You will lose friends, your family won’t understand, people will talk about you. But deep inside of you is a knowledge that nothing is impossible with God. Hold fast to that knowledge. Once God speaks a promise to you, don’t let anyone or anything keep you from possessing your promise.

Father, I have faith in you! When you said my children will serve you, I believed it and continually spoke it over their lives. I’ve seen you keep your Word to me. You are faithful! When my marriage was a mess and it just looked hopeless, you gave me promise and hope, I trusted in you and look at us now! 38 years of marriage, still committed to each other, still serving you, Lord. When I was hungry, you fed me. When I was in need, you provided. You are so faithful to your Word and I am so grateful to you. May you be glorified in me today. In my speech, my actions, in all I do, may others learn to have faith in You.