Tag: #AbundantLife

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Obstacles or Opportunities – Part 2

I love what Pastor Jack Hayford says: “Unbelief looks at obstacles; faith looks at God” (The Hayford Bible Handbook). 

Whatever we focus on grows (Pr 23:7). 

One of the definitions of “obstacle” is “catch-22.”

We can either get caught up in a snare or caught up in the powerful Presence of God with the mind of Christ.

We are commanded to follow God’s lead. Yet, if we don’t know Him for ourselves, we won’t trust Him.

God has a glorious inheritance for us as we move from obsolete (legend) to overcomer.

We know there is freedom (opportunity) in the salvation God offers us for a life reconciled to Him. And we know God goes before us to make a way, even when life on earth seems impossible to us. 

But do we believe Him at His Word?

Pastor Hayford wisely advises us to increase our “faith in God’s promises rather than look at the impossible circumstances.”

With this strategy, we grow in faith and shrink hindrances as we trust God. 

But when we see more obstacles than opportunities, something’s wrong: Our focus and faith have shifted off of God and His grace and goodness. 

We have come to trust something or someone else above God. 

Perhaps even ourselves. 

We know that God never disappoints, because His Word says so (1 Pe 2:6). 

So, when we feel disappointed or frustrated, it’s an alert to us to shift our misplaced faith (and focus) back onto Him.

Even when we walk through wilderness seasons or when we feel hemmed in during times of endurance, we can still look up and seek and worship God. We can see above and beyond giants when we gain God’s perspective. We can receive power from on high and defeat them as we experience God’s magnificent Glory-Presence. We can stand in His truth, knowing He will watch over and fulfill His promises to us in His time and way.

Sovereign God is more powerful than any mere obstacle. 

King David understood this. I believe his defeat of Goliath was an outward manifestation of David having overcome something within his own soul.

Since Jesus has bought back abundant life for us, we only need to believe Him at His Word, obey Him and receive from His heart and hand through His gift of grace.

Unlike man, He will not cheat us or trick us. 

He will not be too hard on us.

With God, we will never come up short when we receive what He has for us.

But obstacles of the soul that we don’t overcome can limit God.

And they can take many forms.

For example, when we take our eyes off of The Spirit of Grace, a harsh attitude can easily gain ground into our soul—a legalistic one that fears and thinks and sees the worst in people and circumstances. A critical attitude that tears others down. This is condemnation of the enemy, the accuser of the brethren, working through a person. This type of behavior reveals insecurity (an open door) in the soul of that person, a hole in their soul where they’ve rejected God’s way and gave up their hope and confidence. 

This type of behavior is a self-reliant attempt to cope in order to protect oneself and one’s worth by exalting oneself pridefully. It is a false shield that distrusts God and counters the armor of God. This false shield will eventually be shaken, because it’s an idol within an unbelieving heart (Is 2:18). The vain glory of un-resolve battling to rule the effects of a wounded soul held captive. The aging unrest, false responsibility and overwork of self-reliance above knowing God and trusting in His goodness. 

1 Corinthians 8:4 AMPC reveals that “…an idol is nothing (has no real existence) and that there is no God but one. [Deut. 6:4.]”

This self-reliant behavior can be the result of a life hard lived that didn’t know a better way of the true power of God. It can even be blasphemous, where God’s truth was “traded for a lie” long ago (Ro 1:25).

Jeremiah 2:11 AMPC says “…My people have changed their Glory [God] for that which does not profit.” 

So, this type of behavior can be at the root of why people fail in life, because there is no life (or victory) in idolatry, including our way.

Proverbs 16:3 tells us, “Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed.”

So, friends, isn’t it time to lay down every hopeless obstacle of idolatry? Every worthless focus that would try to exalt itself against God’s power and rob you of His abundance (2 Co 10:5)?

There’s no need to fear coming into port to make this exchange, because there’s no condemnation in Christ.

God is rich in mercy and full of grace.

James 1:5 TPT tells us, “…if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.”

We need to humble ourselves and yield our whole heart to The Lord and receive.

And if we desire to see a great yield of good fruit in our lives, then we have to yield to the Fruit of the Spirit (Ga 5:23).

So, God’s parallel for the enemy’s catch-22 is Isaiah 22:22, which is to wholeheartedly believe and operate in the authority, power and privilege of our position in Christ, having been given full access, nothing withheld through Jesus. His Spirit living in us is our key to “revelation, treasures, favor and opportunity” (Is 22:22 TPT study note).

Yes, “…we still have the opportunity to enter into the faith-rest life and experience the fulfillment of the promise” (Hebrews 4:6 TPT)!

Matthew 22:2 AMPC says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding banquet for his [daughter].” 

It’s time to enter into God’s abundant life (Strong’s #2222). 

So, pray with me, if you will…

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for offering me abundant life. I repent of wrongdoing. I trade in my false shields for You as my protector. I invite Jesus into my whole heart, nothing withheld (Pr 30:5). I choose to lay down every false idol to You today and make You the center of my life. Help me to receive Your healing power—bind every wound and heal every injury. Show me a better way, Lord. Enable me to receive Your freedom of deliverance from every catch-22 snare. Help me to receive healthy boundaries and truth in my life as I choose to trust You totally (Pr 16:3). Help me to know You more. I ask You to release Your wisdom, revelation and favor to me, as You know all things (1 Jn 2:20). Help me to receive Your best legacy (inheritance) and destiny (pre-determined plan) for my life. Thank You, Lord, for making all things new. Thank You for the invitation to Your banquet. I receive it.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen. 

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Captivity to Freedom – Part 2

God’s Word tells us that true freedom is victory in Jesus (Ac 2:24, Lk 4:18). 

And God’s Word never fails (Is 40:8).

In Jeremiah 1:12 AMPC God says, “…I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it.”

So, although the enemy of our soul may try to ensnare us, God’s anointed Word cannot be bound (2 Ti 2:9). It is continually at work in us and around us to deliver us into more of His freedom by His Spirit. 

2 Corinthians 3:17 AMPC says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom).

Since Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, who lives in God’s saints, when we believe Him at His Word by faith, He guides us into all truth, which sets us free from bondage (Jn 16:13). 

Matthew 11:6 AMPC says that “…blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) is he who…is not hindered from seeing the Truth.”

Hebrews 4:12 AMPC says, “For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.”

Friends, we need to wrap our “minds around the riches of God, the depth of his wisdom, and the marvel of his perfect knowledge” as He wraps His Presence around us (Ro 11:33). We need to wear our blood-bought hope (assurance) of salvation like a protective helmet against doubt, unbelief and giving up as Holy Spirit renews our minds with the washing of His Word

With God, we always have a hope and a future (Je 29:11).

Jeremiah 29:11-14 NIV say, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the LORD. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,’ says the LORD. ‘I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.'”

Friends, revelation brings transformation. 

John 16:13 NLT says, “When the Spirit of truth comes…He will tell you about the future.”

God may reveal some events and timelines to us as we move further into His freedom. He’ll reveal strategies, wisdom and course corrections along the way. 

So, even if we find ourselves held in captivity—like Paul and Silas, who were released from jail after they praised God (Ac 16:25-26); or like Daniel, who was delivered from lions in a closed off den as he trusted God (Da 6:22); or even like Jonah, who was expelled from a whale of an encounter as he turned to God (Jon 2:10)—we can trust God and know that captivity can be a platform for glorious miracles, a turning point of breakthrough for greater freedom and higher purposes. 

These saints experienced that, with God, captivity gets reworked by His authority to further mobilize their divine legacy (inheritance) and their divine destiny (pre-determined plan for them).

Like these saints, God intentionally and specifically enables us to come out of captivity by faith when we praise Him, trust Him and turn to Him in humility in impossible situations. 

The grace work God does in our soul, during what feels like limited times, is cleansing and will make a way for His explosion of new (resurrection) life that will prove His faithfulness, His Word and His love as limitless. 

Even if we were to find ourselves exiled, like the Israelites in Egypt, we could be certain that God ultimately has our restoration in mind. This is His covenant promise to us.

Acts 13:17 TPT says that “…While they were enslaved in Egypt, he made them great, both in numbers and in strength, until he unveiled his mighty power and led them out of bondage.”

So, God can purpose captivity to be like a cocoon to do deep works in us, and cause us to be made stronger in Him. He can make us more grateful and receiving of His purpose for our new-found freedom once released.

Exodus 12:13 reminds us of our blood covenant of protection and provision when the Israelites remained in their divinely-designated safe place, which was behind closed doors, for a time.

They may have felt like they were held captive within captivity for a moment, but God had their greater deliverance in mind all along.

Friends, always remember, the greatest resistance will give way under the mighty arm of sovereign God, and we have access to Him through grace by faith. Jesus sits at God’s right hand, the hand of authority. And we are seated with Him as He is established with us on earth—liberating us from the captivity of darkness. 

Psalm 16:11 tells us that, at His “right hand there are pleasures forevermore. [Acts 2:25-28, 31],” and that in “His presence is fullness of joy, also that He will show us “the path of life.”

Romans 5:17 TPT says, “…now, how much more are we held in the grip of grace and continue reigning as kings in life, enjoying our regal freedom through the gift of perfect righteousness in the one and only Jesus, the Messiah!”

I believe God is releasing His recompense: I believe He is about to deliver multitudes into a new level of freedom from the immorality of their past, like never before. What once choked out their blessings, will be no more. I believe what 2 Timothy 2:26 AMPC says, which is “…that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God’s] will.” I believe God will launch His pure-hearted ones into deep, abundant life that will extend to others in miraculous ways, meeting them at awestruck. I believe God is promoting His saints, who will continue to pursue holiness in any and every circumstance, even like Daniel (2 Ti 2:22, Da 6:20, 22-23).

And I pray that you will be one of them. 

To God be the glory. 

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Intimacy With God: Our Perfect Union

As His beloved daughters and sons we are betrothed to, in covenant with, and enthroned with our King (Eph 1:14, 2:6).

Ephesians 1:14 TPT says, “He is given to us like an engagement ring is given to a bride, as the first installment of what’s coming! He is our hope-promise of a future inheritance which seals us until we have all of redemption’s promises and experience complete freedom—all for the supreme glory and honor of God!”

Ephesians 2:5-6 AMPC say, “…He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ…and He raised us up together with Him, and made us sit down together, [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).”

John 15:4 TPT adds, “So you must remain in life-union with me, for I remain in life-union with you. For as a branch severed from the vine will not bear fruit, so your life will be fruitless unless you live your life intimately joined to mine.”

Friends, The Lord’s certain hope inside of us gives us confidence to experience extraordinary levels of intimacy with Him on earth and in Heaven (Heb 7:19)!

1 John 4:16 TPT tells us, “We have come into an intimate experience with God’s love, and we trust in the love he has for us. God is love! Those who are living in love are living in God, and God lives through them.”

So as His lovers, we are imbued with God’s loyal love, His passion of life and victory (Pr 3:3, Is 11:2).

As we abide with God, which means to be enthroned with Him (in covenant), we are able to fulfill His supreme commandment to “Love the Lord your God with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, and with every thought that is within you” (Matt 22:37).

God offers us a full spectrum of covenant (His fully-affirmed, set agreement) benefits, as He makes us dwell in safety and confident trust, even when we walk through the valley with Him (Ps 4:8, 23:4).

Here’s a list of what we can experience while in close fellowship with Him:

Loyal love (Is 11:2)
Tender love (Ps 138:2)
Astonishing, extravagant and inclusive love (Eph 3:18)
Endless love (Ro 5:5, Jn 17:26)
Rich mercy (Eph 2:4)
Forgiveness (Col 2:13)
Salvation (Ro 10:1, 9; Acts 4:12)
Full salvation (Eph 4:30)
Rebirth (Jn 3:3)
Regeneration (Titus 3:5)
Redemption (Eph 1:7)
Christ in us (Col 1:26-27)
The One who is true (1 Jn 5:20).
The only true God and sent Son (Jn 17:3)
True holiness (Ro 6:22, Eph 4:30)
Compassion (Eph 2:4)
Gentleness of heart (Gal 5:22)
Goodness and kindness (1 Pe 2:3)
Constant companionship (De 31:8)
Perceiving the Lord (Acts 9:27)
Knowing Lord Jesus (Phil 3:1)
Intimate knowledge of God (1 Jn 4:7)
Intimacy with God (Heb 7:19)
Knowing God in His fullness (Col 1:10)
Complete oneness (Phil 3:11)
Perfect unity (Jn 17:23)
Co-glorification (Ro 8:17)
Glory and unity (Jn 17:22)
God’s plans for our lives (Ps 25:4)
Partnership with His divine nature (2 Pe 1:4)
Full revelation of the hope of his calling (Eph 1:18)
Full inheritance of the Kingdom (Matt 25:34)
Fulfillment of the promise (Heb 4:6)
Reality of God’s grace (Col 1:6)
All that grace has lavished upon us (1 Cor 2:12)
Marvelous light (1 Pe 2:9)
Life-giving light (Jn 8:12)
New life (Ro 6:4)
True life (Mk 8:35, Heb 10:39)
Living truth (Ps 138:2)
Flowing fountain of life (Ps 36:9)
Overcoming life (2 Tim 2:10)
Life and deliverance (Matt 10:22, 24:13)
Deliverance from oppression (1 Sam 10:18)
Dying to sin (Ro 6:11)
Resurrection life (Eph 2:5, Ro 6:5)
Overflowing power of His resurrection working in us (Phil 3:10)
Ascension (Eph 2:6, Col 3:1)
Exaltation (Matt 23:12)
Healing and wholeness (Is 53:5)
Life, freedom and satisfaction (Jn 10:9)
Complete freedom (Eph 1:14)
Complete satisfaction (Pr 19:23)
Abundant life (Pr 11:19)
Overwhelming abundance (Phil 4:2)
Harvest (Gal 6:8)
Everlasting life (2 Tim 3:15)
Eternal life (Jn 6:40, Acts 13:48)
Blessings (Ps 144:15, Ja 1:12, 25)
Favor (Ps 112:2)
Delight of our Master (Matt 25:21)
Prevailing faith (Gal 5:22)
Faith-rest (Heb 4:10-11)
Confident rest (Heb 4:3)
Full and complete rest (Heb 4:9)
Joy (Jn 15:11)
Joyous mercies (Ps 34:8)
Joyous delight (Jn 17:13)
Happiness (Jn 13:17)
Bliss (Matt 5:8)
Maturity of God’s Word (1 Pe 2:2)
Perfect understanding (insight, discernment) (Is 11:2)
Revelation (knowledge from God) (Is 11:2)
Revelation of God’s great mystery—Christ (Col 2:2)
Wisdom and revelation (Eph 1:17)
Insight into hidden truths and mysteries of Heaven’s Kingdom (Matt 11:13)
Wise strategy (guidance) (Ps 31:3, Is 11:2)
Extraordinary wisdom (skill) (Is 11:2)
Prophecy (Is 11:2)
Dreams from God (Acts 2:17)
Spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:8-10)
His defense (Ex 14:14)
His Protection (Ps 91:2)
His wrap-around Presence (Ps 16:8)
Constant intercession (Ro 8:26-27, 34)
Peace for resolution (Phil 4:7, Gal 5:22)
Strength through God (1 Cor 1:6)
Self-control and strength of spirit (2 Pe 1:6, Gal 5:22)
Immeasurable greatness of God’s power (Eph 1:19)
Mighty power (warrior) (Is 11:2)
Confidence never shaken (Ps 16:8)
Fearless confidence (Pr 10:9)
Patience that endures (Gal 5:22)
Victory (1 Jn 5:4, Rev 2:28, 3:5)
Reward (Pr 28:10)
Justice (Is 42:3)

We can also experience:

The cross of Jesus (Lk 14:27, Matt 16:24, Ro 6:6)
Trouble and sorrows (Jn 16:33)
Comfort for suffering (2 Cor 1:5)
Suffering with blessing (1 Peter 3:14)
Suffering victoriously (2 Cor 1:6)
Glory after suffering (Lk 24:26)
Every kind of pressure (2 Cor 4:8)
Bearable testing (1 Cor 10:13)
Persecution (2 Tim 3:12)
Heaven’s Kingdom for persecution (Matt 5:10)
Extravagant generosity as a result of severe tribulation (2 Cor 8:2)

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, As your beloved, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You for Your gift of intimacy. Please grow me in intimacy and truth. Help me remain (abide) in You (1 Jn 2:4). Please help me to walk closely with You every moment and receive Your full inheritance.

“Let my passion for life be restored” on new levels, “tasting joy in every breakthrough You bring to me. Hold me close to You with a willing spirit that obeys whatever You say” (Ps 51:12 TPT).

Thank You for prospering and excelling me “in every season by serving” You, because I’m assured that my union with You “makes our labor productive with fruit that endures” (1 Cor 15:58).

Thank You for bringing life and victory in my heart and life through Your Word and Spirit to establish Your Kingdom!

“…For just one day of intimacy with you is like a thousand days of joy rolled into one” (Ps 84:10)!

May it all be for Your glory.

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Now, “…to all the holy believers who have been united to Jesus as beloved followers of the Messiah. May God, our true Father, release upon your lives the riches of his kind favor and heavenly peace through the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One” (Col 1:1 TPT).

“I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him” (Eph 1:17 TPT).

I pray that you will crave and seek above all else “the privilege of living with him every moment in his house, finding the sweet loveliness of his face, filled with awe, delighting in his glory and grace.” I pray that you will “live” your “life so close to him that he takes pleasure in” your “every prayer” (Ps 27:4 TPT ).

To God be the glory.

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Resurrection Life—Here & Beyond

We know that Jesus’ crucifixion wasn’t The Father’s final Word.

And we know that because of Christ’s resurrection, we as believers could be re-born.

As His redeemed, God’s Spirit of Life is sealed in us.

Galatians 2:20 TPT tells us, “My old identity has been co-crucified with Messiah and no longer lives; for the nails of his cross crucified me with him. And now the essence of this new life is no longer mine, for the Anointed One lives his life through me—we live in union as one! My new life is empowered by the faith of the Son of God who loves me so much that he gave himself for me, and dispenses his life into mine!”

Romans 8:11 says, “Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!”

Ephesians 2:6 TPT reveals, “He raised us up with Christ the exalted One, and we ascended with him into the glorious perfection and authority of the heavenly realm, for we are now co-seated as one with Christ!”

So, we see here friends, that we are both seated with Jesus in the heavenly realm, while He lives inside of us now on earth.

This means that Jesus is our super power inside and out!

Psalm 18:1 TPT assures us, “Lord, I passionately love you and I’m bonded to you, for now you’ve become my power!”

When we Christ-followers know our true identity in Him—that we are His chosen, His treasured, His beloved, His co-glorified (Rom 8:17) to bring Heaven to earth—and we relinquish the pride of our ways to Him and submit to His ways, He can work His resurrection power through us to bring light to a dark world. Unhindered.

Psalm 36:9 TPT says, “To know you is to experience a flowing fountain, drinking in your life, springing up to satisfy. In your light we receive the light of revelation.”

Psalm 17:11 TPT tells us, “For you bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life, the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.”

So, here we see that Christ is our true fountain of life (Ps. 68:26).

We can live in Christ’s continual unveiling of Himself and His mysteries when we seek Him and submit ourselves to Him.

Psalm 119:29 NLT says, “Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.”

Ephesians 1:9 TPT says, “And through the revelation of the Anointed One, he unveiled his secret desires to us—the hidden mystery of his long-range plan, which he was delighted to implement from the very beginning of time.”

Jeremiah 33:3 reveals, “Call to Me and I will answer you, and tell you [and even show you] great and mighty things, [things which have been confined and hidden], which you do not know and understand and cannot distinguish.”

What a blessing to have Jesus and Holy Spirit working on the inside of us to guide us on His path to live a greater life—a higher life, an uncommon, and an abundant life for Kingdom purposes.

Jesus is the Way. He is the Truth. And He is the Life (Jn. 14:6).

With Him, we can soar!

God assures us of an unveiled, risen life that can bring us to life on the other side of the betrayal of sin and the sin of betrayal.

His way is the only way that works for our good continually.

In fact, it’s important to even align our words with His, because “The Word of Life has power to continually deliver us” (Ja. 1:21). So, speak powerful words of life that “give life” (Prov. 18:21).

Romans 8:7, 13 TPT tell us, “For no matter how hard they try, God finds no pleasure with those who are controlled by the flesh. For when you live controlled by the flesh, you are about to die. But if the life of the Spirit puts to death the corrupt ways of the flesh, we then taste his abundant life.”

Who doesn’t want abundant life?

Since our ways always lead to a limited outcome and disappointment, why wouldn’t we choose the way of Jesus that never disappoints?

Jesus is true to Himself and true to His Word.

God’s promises work in our lives when we believe and follow through with actions of faith to His instructions—both written and revealed.

Friends, you will never regret His love at work for you.

God’s Spirit will strengthen you in Him to stay the course as you depend on Him.

When you feel embittered, He will bring justice as you hand Him your self-justification.

He will forgive you as you turn toward Him and forgive others.

He will restore to you even more than the enemy stole from you.

His grace will come through for you in every situation as you reach for Him.

He will satisfy all your needs and make your crooked path straight.

He is a good God who desires to share His faithful life and good works with you.

No matter where we are, it can be a new day for us!

We are always on His mind.

No matter what.

Pray with me, if you will, Psalm 43:3…

Lord, Thank You that You have seated me in heavenly places and that Your Spirit of Life lives in me. “Pour into me the brightness of your daybreak! Pour into me your rays of revelation-truth! Let them comfort and gently lead me onto the shining path, showing the way into your burning presence, into your many sanctuaries of holiness” (Ps. 43:3 TPT). Thank You for helping me bring honor to You, Lord. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Friends, rest assured, this year can be a new beginning of fresh vision and manifest expressions of His love for you.

I pray that you will receive God’s wisdom for your life, and “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…” (Eph. 3:16 NIV).

Isaiah 60:1 TPT invites us to “Rise up in splendor and be radiant, for your light has dawned, and Yahweh’s glory now streams from you!”

“Once we carried the likeness of the man of dust, but now let us carry the likeness of the Man of heaven” (1 Cor. 15:49).

Until next week, may God bless your every facet of life.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.