The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.  Romans 8:16-17

Heir apparent.

To Christ, our Lord of lord, and King of kings.

His sacrifice for us to be able to enjoy eternity with Him.

He took on our sin, wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and the chastisement of peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we at healed!

Heirs to Christ.

Our redeemer.

You know whenever I’m feeling like I’m not up to par with something or other, I shake it off, because I know I’m a child of God.  And, wow oh wow, how he loves me!

So with all that I am and all that I do, I do it for Christ and unto Him I give all the glory, praise and victory.

It doesn’t matter what we look like.

It doesn’t matter where we live.

It doesn’t matter how much we weigh.

It doesn’t matter what we’ve done, or didn’t do.

He loves us.

We are His children…and He loves us.

Each and everyone of us. Big and small. Young and old.

His love is evident in every single page of the Bible.  But, ever more so as we read about His ministry, His crucifixion, and His resurrection.  Done for us!

His children.

Hallelujah!

What an amazing God we serve.

So…next time someone tries to convince you that “you’re not all that” or tries to bring you down with negativity,  stand tall and say with conviction, “I’m a child of the One and Only Living God Almighty, a Sovereign and loving God. I’m His and He’s mine,  So,  you better believe that I’m all that and more!”

Amen!

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, Abba Father. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of god and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.   Romans 8:14-17  NKJV

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 

Romans 12:2

With the “renewal” of our minds, comes roots deeper in the LORD, transforming us to higher realms, drawing us closer to the paths of righteousness.

Christ is our peace and defense. When we stay in the Word, and keep our mind on Him, we are inherently protected by His name, and presence.  Things of the world fall away, and we are protected from the ways of the world.

Meditating on the Word, and keeping transfixed on things of above, is a fundamental part of being a follower of Christ.

We are powerless in operating in the world of today without the LORD as our defense.

He is our protector.

He is our peace.

His Sovereign Power and love covers us as a shield protecting us always.

Keeping in the WORD, and our minds focused on Christ, is a win-win situation, resulting in a positive flow of peace.

The LORD nourishes us, and waters us for growth in our spirit.

He will open up channels, and resources in which we will thrive, and if we’re in a valley, He’ll help us through it.

Meditation.

Prayer.

Focusing on Him.

And, finally loving Him with all of your heart, soul and mind.

We are fused in Him through His love and blood.

Thank you Father, praise Your beautiful and wonderful name!

O’ rejoice in Him daily!

Amen~

Set your minds on the things above, not the things on the earth. 

Colossians 3:2

*****

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on you:

because he trusts in you.

Isaiah 26:23

I am the vine ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, 

and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit:

for without me ye can do nothing.

John 15:5

We are His.  Wait, absorb that for a moment.

We are HIS!

Wow!  Powerful huh?

Now, wait for it.

HE chose us!

He has a purpose for our life.

He has a perfect plan for our life.

Amazing isn’t it?

But, then again…so is HE!

You know each of us has a favorite verse/or verses in the Bible.  And like myself, some have too may to count.

I have a favorite verse in every book of the Bible.    But what’s so beautiful is how our particular verses move us in different ways.  There are some that move me to tears.  And others that will “quicken” in me and bring a startling revelation to my senses bringing me to my knees in awe.

The Word is so powerful and longstanding, however, it continuously grows. The Word is pregnant…and it keeps growing. We will see a verse in a new light.  Or one we never particularly understood and the light comes shining through and we are astounded at the meaning behind the Words!

But, no matter what…there is one that always gets me, and that is John 3:16.

How He loves us is summed up in that enormous verse!

He gave us His Son!

Oh how He loves us!

Hallelujah, Amen!

“Thank You LORD!  For Your love and for never leaving us, I pray that Your light shines upon those in the darkness, so they too can experience Your love, and compassion, and Your peace, in Jesus’ precious name, Amen.”

We all have different gifts given to us by the LORD.  We are not a “one size fits all.”  So, although someone may have the gift of “teaching” others may have the gift of “encouragement” —some may have the gift of “singing”  or some might have the gift of “leadership.”

Whichever your gift is, God wanted it “that way.”  And, wanted YOU to take on the gifts in which He has graced upon you to use for His purpose according to His will in One Church in the Body of Christ.

I’ve been trying to help someone ( a baby Lamb) transition to a deeper level of spirituality, with the LORD’s guidance of course.  It was easy to do and the words and scriptures flowed through me, because it was His will I was obeying.  And, because it was such, it was easy to do.

However, after several weeks of constant communication through texting, calls, and emails…something inside of me stalled.  It was then I realized, through God, and a Christian friend’s words which brought a confirmation from the LORD, that I was “finished” with that course, or journey for the Lamb that is learning.  He showed me that this “baby lamb” needed more structure and a “church family” with due diligence and “teaching” gift to show this “lamb” the way.  My part was over…

How do we recognize when it’s over?

By the Spirit’s guidance.   By the feeling you naturally feel, and when it’s no longer God’s will, you will instinctually know.  And, I did.

The individual seemed not to understand at first, but eventually, the “lamb” got the message.  And, that is from the LORD, not me.  The words that I gave to her was from the LORD showing me what to say to this individual, and good friend.

It’s now the LORD’s part to “water” the roots and to guide the path…and it’s up to the individual to “choose.”

Sometimes a Christian’s life can be difficult and moments of “tense feelings” can arise when trying to show the way.  The enemy can be adverse to this happening, and things may go awry in the process.  But, under the protection of the Mighty One’s Wings, and the Blood of Christ, we get through it.

I’ve also lost my “fur baby” recently, as many of my followers will recall. October 28, 2017. He was my love and  joy, my greatest pleasure outside of the LORD and my hubby…He was my “baby.”  And, I’m grieving deeply for him.  So, this individual, the “little lamb”  had to understand that I wasn’t myself…however, with the LORD’s guidance…I was able to perform the duties of a Christian, for His purpose. But, then it was complete. My part of the course was over.  Not the friendship, or encouraging this individual.  But the specific part of the journey in which He engaged my services was over.

Remember, we are NOT all alike. And, so don’t envy someone else’s gifts. Instead, embrace your own, and sing to the LORD with thanks.  And, then do it all according to HIS WILL, not yours.

And always be open to His voice.

Amen.

Anyone who states that “it’s impossible” doesn’t know MY GOD!

As Jesus said, “Faith as a mustard seed” is a familiar and powerful verse, especially since it came from our Savior’s mouth.  Amen…

If any of you reading this has ever thought about “God’s power and grace” and wonders if it ever happened to you…all you have to do is “reflect” and you probably couldn’t keep count of all the times He has blessed you, or helped you out of situations.  He is a BIG GOD!

Nothing too small or too big for our LORD.  

I myself was in a reflective mood recently and was overwhelmed at the reality of how God moved in my life, these past three years most especially.  Without God in  my life…I never would have survived.  God is amazing, faithful, and powerful.

So many miracles have taken place through the years in the Bible. But make no mistake, miracles are still happening today.  God is still in control and is on the throne.

Friends of mine have been witness to miracles, and have been recipients of miracles, myself included.  So many miracles, acts of our omnipotent and faithful God.  Loving, consistent and always there…24 hours a day.

So if a physician says something you don’t agree with, “Go to God.”

If a friend says that is impossible, say, “You don’t know my God.”

If an acquaintance is filled with woe, say, “You should talk with God.”

There isn’t anything He can’t do, should He wish to do so.

Look up for all of your answers.

Look to God for all of your questions.

And love, love love Him….then love Him some more.

For “God so loved the world He gave His only begotten Son” for our salvation and to save us from sin.   John 3:16

Amen!

Romans 8:28
 
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Sometimes we may wonder if we’re doing all we can in order to serve our Father.   In fact, there may be times when we’ve come to a place where we’re basically searching…inwardly and outwardly…according to His will.

“Am I supposed to be doing this?  Am I supposed to be doing that?”  These and other questions might plague our minds in a constant struggle in terms of doing His will.

1 John 5:14

This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

Or, while speaking with family and friends, they’ll describe their “whirl-wind” day that was akin to a meteor out of control in the Universe, as they breathlessly exclaim: “Oh there are so many things to do in my day, it’s non-stop, I need more time to accomplish my Herculean tasks during the course of my average day!”  The mere description of their day might leave you tired, and in need for a nap.  Or their words perhaps make you feel inferior, or guilty, that you don’t have that much to do…or so you think.  STOP!

When your mind goes there, jump to our Father and His will for your life.

The LORD loves us and knows what we are capable of.

He is the Author of peace and Creator of all things big and small.

He orchestrates the tempo of the seas, and paints the skies.

He is the curator of wild flowers dancing in the wind.

He is the One who loves us so much, that He knows our very thoughts, and the desires of our heart, and what we CAN and CANNOT withstand.

With all of the above in mind…sometimes doing what we are doing is exactly what we SHOULD BE DOING.

Each one of us has different mechanisms ,and capabilities, and different needs in order to thrive…live…and survive. 

He takes all of these into account as He presents us with scenarios in which we can handle.

And in so doing, we are where we should be at any given time…and when we are in “tune” with His Spirit, and surrender to His will, we will be doing all that we should be doing, according to His will, and purpose in our lives.

So, maybe your sister is a whiz at multitasking, and cannot sit still long enough to read a book, or watch a movie…as her motto in life is…“I have so many things to do in a day, I have to keep moving, I have to keep doing, I have to keep at keeping at!”   

Or, your friend is running on empty as she says, “I have a meeting to get to, and I have to call my daughter, and my grandchildren are coming for the holiday, so I have to go shopping, and cook a ten course meal…” while you don’t know how to cook, or have any children at all, and are moving in “slow motion” in comparison to your friends, family and the rest of the world.  Don’t second guess yourself or your life.  Instead, keep the most important Being in mind…our loving Father.

He knows what we can handle.

He knows what is coming into our life and He knows what is happening within seconds of you reading this devotional.

The realization is this:

We each have different qualities and unique aspects to our character that only the Father in Heaven in aware of.  He brings about scenarios in which we can thrive, with HIS HELP, and guidance, and His love we can do it.

We shouldn’t feel condemnation, if we appear to do “less” than a sister, or a friend.

We shouldn’t feel inferior to someone who has a household of children,and grandchildren, when there isn’t any child in your household.

Instead, grasp the meaning behind it all–Appreciate everyone for their unique qualities, and embrace your own individual ways of doing things.  This all comes into and according to the “body of Christ”

We are all a part of His Body.  Some are the hands, others are the feet, some are the eyes, still others are the ears.  And, yet we are all one, each one unable to exist without the other.  All operating for His will and purpose and according to His plan for our lives.

Peace, love, light and life!  All fruits of the Spirit.  All a gift from above.

So, if your tasks today seem mundane, or slow comparatively speaking to others you may know, take this to heart.

God is guiding you to do exactly what you are supposed to be doing right this moment.

Listen to your inner spirit and be led by His very capable hands.

And the next time you listen to the “breathless voice” of a family member, friend, or co-worker go on and on about the agonizing tasks they undertake in any given day, smile and say: “Thank You Lord for giving me my deeds to be done, according to Your will, and purpose, and thank You Lord for giving me just what I can handle, and nothing more, and nothing less,  all glory,honor and praise to You my Father, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Ephesians 4:12 12

To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.

1 Corinthians 12:27 27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

Troubles?  

What’s troubling you at this time?

Finances? Relationships? Illness? Stress?

Do you feel tempted by sin?

Are you disturbed and feel you’re being tossed about by a tempest on the high seas?

All of the above?  Perhaps more?

Or, maybe nothing at all during this period of time.

No matter, here’s the good news….He’s with you through it all.

Whatever your circumstances might be, the one constant is the LORD.

His promise, in Hebrews 13:5…. “I’ll never leave you, nor forsake you” are as real today, as they were when He first uttered them.

BE STILL & KNOW I AM GOD — This goes for each and everyone of us during trials, during highs, during all the in-betweens!

Of course, being still goes against our very grain of existence.  In this fast paced world with “so much to accomplish” within 24 hours, it’s often difficult to “Be still” — but to know He is “ordering us” to do so should in fact, be enough for us TO DO SO.

“Be Still”

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.

The LORD of Hosts is with us.
The God of Jacob is our fortress!

The Lord is our source of peace and strength.

He is with us always.

He is whom we are ‘grafted’ onto.

He is the “water” for growth of our roots.

He is the King of the Universe and all things big and small.

Smile through the storm, giving Him glory no matter what.

BE STILL, and surrender to Him.

Trust Him.

Praise Him.

Love Him.

Sit back, and know that HE IS GOD.

And what a GOD we have!

AMEN.

 Isaiah 41:10 NLT

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 KJV

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.