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The Grace of Renewal

Psalm 103:3-5 AMP tells us, “Who forgives all your sins, Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you [lavishly] with lovingkindness and tender mercy; Who satisfies your years with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the [soaring] eagle.”

Friends, these verses are talking about our Lord, God, who desires we experience His renewal, which is to gain something beyond what is former. In other words, The Lord desires that we receive something better and something higher than we have previously known.

As we move into 2020, this could mean many things. Who else can know all of the blessings God has for us at the outset, especially since we live from the inside out?

For we Christians, who are spiritually born again by grace, this exit from the old and entrance into the new means that God progressively transforms us into His likeness internally—from darkness into His marvelous light—with the added benefit of His manifest promises (2 Cor. 4:16).

I like how Webster’s defines renew. It means:

  1. RESTORE: To freshness, vigor, or perfection. To make like new. 
  2. REGENERATE: To make new spiritually.
  3. a.  REVIVE: To restore to existence. b.  REBUILD: To make extensive changes in.
  4. REPEAT: To do again. 
  5. RESUME: To begin again.
  6. REPLACE and to REPLENISH.

Webster’s also says that renewal “implies a resurrection and restoration of what had become faded or disintegrated…”

Of course, we know that God makes all things new. So, the beauty of the renewal process is that God doesn’t leave us where we are, but He fills our soul with more of His radiance, His power and His strength as we go.

If necessary, Holy Spirit will even shine His light on the parts of our soul that have stopped believing and lost hope, the parts that are no longer “integrated” with His truth. If this happens, He will lead us to repentance, and bring those fragments into the wholeness of life-union with Him to rebuild the faith He gave us in our soul.

As we come near to Him, He comes near to us with His Presence and revelation-understanding—the truth that sets us free.

Psalm 51:6 TPT says, “I know that you delight to set your truth deep in my spirit. So come into the hidden places of my heart and teach me wisdom.”

Friends, this is one of the best invitations we can extend to our Lord.

Colossians 3:10 TPT assures us, “For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God.”

As we follow Him into the secret place, The Spirit of Revelation, who is The Holy Spirit, helps us with the part of renewal that is repetition, which is the process of maturity, meaning the daily renewing of the mind with His Word, His perspective, and the restoration of His character.

Colossians 2:3 reveals, “For our spiritual wealth is in him, like hidden treasure waiting to be discovered—heaven’s wisdom and endless riches of revelation knowledge.”

So, God regenerates our spirit, revives our heart, restores our foundation of belief. He propels us forward and offers us more than we had before. 

To live this authentic life of abundance is to live a resurrected life on earth as it is in Heaven. And it requires an ongoing, intimate fellowship with our Lord. 

Even when it feels difficult.

Jesus understood this when He walked on earth in person:

One example is in John 10 when the leaders, who falsely-accused Jesus, tried to seize and stone Him. Confronted with these threats, Jesus declared truth and life. He said that He was in The Father and that The Father was in Him (vs. 38). 

Then Jesus “went back to the place where John had baptized Him” (vs. 40). 

So, you see here that Jesus Himself spoke truth and then returned to the place of new life in the face of captivity and death.

He didn’t get stuck in a bad place, and He didn’t even entertain stubbornness. He certainly didn’t get ensnared in strife.

Instead, Jesus remained in sync with the power of God and miraculously escaped the enemy’s attack. And He headed back to His new beginning—the cross point and centrifuge of true captivation, which is the Presence of Holy Spirit, who refreshes us.

Also, in John 10, as a result of Jesus’ walk, many people followed Him and believed (vss. 41-42).

Friends, God draws people toward His miracle of salvation and renewed life.

Are you willing to follow Him into new life, which is your best life?

He’s waiting for you.

Hebrews 10:19 TPT confirms this by saying, “And now we are brothers and sisters in God’s family because of the blood of Jesus, and he welcomes us to come into the most holy sanctuary in the heavenly realm—boldly and without hesitation.”

Friends, this is our inheritance. 

God never leaves us or forsakes us.   Even in the face of giants, the deliverance of spiritual renewal involves a continual process that strengthens our soul in The Lord. God faithfully guards us through this process to bring His faithful promises to fruition for us and through us. All for His glory. 

Therefore, we mustn’t get discouraged by what we see in our circumstances. But rather trust God at His timing and ways, which are true to His character and plan for our lives.

Isaiah 40:31 TPT instructs us in regards to His strategy to keep us strong in Him. It says, “But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace will experience divine strength. They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their race without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up.”

I like how one of the endnotes (c) for this verse in the TPT version references not giving up. It says, “The outer court is where we walk, the Holy Place is where we run, and we soar like eagles (into the heavenly realm) in the Holy of Holies.”

Don’t you love that?!

Friends, God is inviting us to soar with Him in this new year, this new season, and this new era. 

Let us come near to Him in the most intimate place and receive His revelation and wisdom. Let’s obey His leading and submit our hearts to Him fully, allowing Him to renew us however He sees fit along the way. Let’s experience His abundance in new ways and on new levels as He helps us overcome our limitations by His grace that empowers us to soar.

Ephesians 4:23 TPT tells us, “Now it’s time to be made new by every revelation that’s been given to you.”

Friends, I pray The Lord’s finest blessings to you in every facet of your life in this new year and beyond. 

To God be the glory!

Happy 2020!

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by 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.

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Happy New Year With Love!

This wreath hangs on the front door of a historic church on Main Street in downtown Greeneville, TN.

Glynn and I were blessed to celebrate New Year’s while on vacay in the Caribbean. Mind you, I was sick when we arrived (but quickly recovered), and we worked every day except two!

While there, The Lord led me to snap some fabulous photos to be used on social media for 2020. And He enabled my small creative-tech-editorial team and I to craft and post our first month of video-devos for this new year. I am amazed and excited daily about what The Lord has done and is doing! I marvel at how He brought (and is still bringing) all the many pieces together step-by-step so SWIFTLY to make this (His) ongoing project happen.

If you would like to receive these weekly video-devos in your email inbox, please subscribe now, as the first one is scheduled to be emailed January 5, with subsequent ones to follow each Sunday throughout 2020.

Thank you for your prayers as God continues to reveal to us how to do His assignments.

To Him be the glory!

Special thanks to Salem Web Network, which graciously re-posts these video-devos on their platforms, including iBelieve.com.

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Merry Christmas With Love

Glynn and I have enjoyed living at a cabin-loft in Greeneville, Tennessee for the past five-plus years, while Glynn works on a contract. (I have often been reminded of aspiring writer Jo March in Little Women, living in a boarding house.)

Early in December, I felt led to have dinner in town at one of our favorite places on Main Street: a fine historic restaurant with proper white table linens and tiny china tea cups with saucers.

From our table, through big, arched picture windows, we saw our purpose for being there: A Christmas memory.

We watched a small choir set up then play silver hand bells across the street, at the top of a tall brick staircase of a historic church.

God knows I love hand bells!

They remind me of my favorite Christmas ornament when I was six-years-old: a tiny silver bell—always special to my heart.

It was a moment of God’s goodness revealed in a small thing.

It was the night that townspeople came to experience the Christmas tree lighting, unbeknownst to me in advance.

It is a memory I will take with me when I move on.

Days afterwards, snow had fallen and melted. I felt led to walk around town and capture a few pictures.

I hope you enjoy them.

There was a particular one that captivated my heart, as I drove just outside of town: a donkey. I call him my Christmas donkey. He has been put out to pasture by his owner, and he needed a friend.

I am his, and he is mine.

I feed him apples.

He warms my heart.

And he reminds me to remember the least cared for, especially during this Christmas season.

May your Christmastime be filled with special memories—old and new.

Merry Christmas with Love,

Margaret & Glynn

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Regeneration Movement: God is Healing Paralysis

About fifteen years ago, I was awakened by a visitation from The Lord and received a massive revelation that a friend, who had become paralyzed from the waist down in an accident thirteen years earlier, would rise out of his wheelchair and walk again on earth as it is in Heaven (Jn. 16:13).

Since then, I have trusted God to bring it to pass.

It’s easy to not doubt God’s messages when they are so prolific, even for “impossible” circumstances.

Even when it takes time (Ecc. 3:11).

For the past few weeks, in stepping up to my divine assignment to write and record a new round of devotions for 2020, The Lord has had me study the topic of “renew” in scripture. I learned it encompasses many facets of restoration, including regeneration, rebuilding, repetition (daily renewal of the mind), etc. I know from God’s Word that He has the power to make all things new.

But Holy Spirit spotlighted “regeneration.”

Now, this was exciting!

As I began to write a devotion about renewal last week, The Lord ordered my steps away from my laptop to go run an errand. What happened next would prove to freshen my hope for my friend’s recovery.

And it came with expanded benefits (Ps. 103:2-3):

First Day of Prayer & Revelation

I stopped by a local business to drop off some items that, ironically, needed to be repaired. While chatting with the businessowner, she revealed to me that her family dog was in need of a miracle: spinal regeneration. I learned that this family was, heartbreakingly, on the verge of putting the dog to sleep, because they hadn’t seen any improvement in his condition. This businesswoman had grown weary from caring for her dog.

I could feel the Presence of The Lord profoundly as we stood in her place of business. I knew God was on the move. It was obvious to me that this was a divine appointment to intercede for the dog’s miracle.

I informed this businesswoman that God had just had me studying scripture about this very topic, that I had a friend who needed the same miracle, and that I would pray for her dog’s body to be regenerated as a witness of God’s miraculous power.

She is a believer.

I prayed that evening.

Second Day of Prayer & Revelation

What I didn’t learn until the next day, however, when I returned to her business to pick up an item I had dropped off, was that not everyone close to her was convinced that God would heal the dog and that someone in particular had been waning in their faith-at-large.

At this point, I knew God was up to more than freshening my hope for my friend’s recovery.

So, on this second day of visiting this businesswoman, I prayed with her; and I sensed The Lord saying to give the dog seven days.

Third Day of Prayer & Revelation

The next morning, I listened to Dr. David Jeremiah on TBN, who spoke about worshipping God with our mind. The Lord particularly illuminated this precept to me:

Mark 12:30 CEB – “and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (emphasis mine).

We know that as a person thinks so is s(he) (Prov. 23:7).

God gave me the understanding that He was putting a demand on us that since “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16), He was stretching us to go beyond our level of belief and tap into more of the faith He placed in our spirit when we were saved.

A bit later on this same (third) day, during communion, The Lord began to reveal to me an even broader message on this topic of regeneration:

You have entered into a time in which regeneration has the potential to become a movement on earth in record number. People need only to receive this mighty move of My mercy.

God further revealed to me that Dr. David Jeremiah’s message about worshipping Him with the mind is connected to receiving the restoration of regeneration into physical bodies and that it would happen through God’s Word.

Here’s how it works:

God’s Word has the power to heal (Ps. 107:20). As Holy Spirit leads us to study His Word topically, we will receive the light of revelation-understanding in our soul (the mind in our head and heart). As we worship The Lord in gratitude for His forward movement of these revelations, He will expand His regenerative power to touch our physical bodies (and those for whom we pray) by His Spirit.

This regeneration will come directly from the living Word of God and the Presence of Holy Spirit in the secret place, not necessarily through a third party, such as in the laying on of hands. God desires people to experience restoration directly through His living Word. This is an outpouring of His perfect power to regenerate beyond our spirit into the soul and body (3 Jn. 1:2). It is being released for all who will receive it.

Fifth Day of Prayer & Revelation

On the fifth day of prayer and revelation, The Lord gave me a scripture for the businesswoman:

Ephesians 3:20 TPT – “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.”

Late this evening, the businesswoman texted me, saying the dog’s condition noticeably improved and that a conversation with a veterinarian confirmed the dog could recover in three to four weeks.

Sixth Day of Prayer & Revelation

On the sixth day of prayer and revelation, The Lord revealed to me that the work of regeneration He would do in the dog would prove to be a powerful witness that would stir a regeneration of faith in someone particularly close to the businesswoman and that it would extend into the next generation.

The Lord also gave me a scripture, a quote, and a song, which I texted to this businesswoman:

Isaiah 61:3 NLT – “To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.”

The quote: “We can have joy if we walk in Spirit and faith” (Dr. David Jeremiah).

The song: I Will Rise, by Chris Tomlin (Ps. 98:1 TPT).

Seventh Day of Prayer & Revelation

On the seventh day of prayer and revelation, The Lord gave me another scripture, which I texted to this businesswoman:

1 Thessalonians 5:24 TPT assures us of God’s faithfulness, “The one who calls you by name is trustworthy and will thoroughly complete his work in you.”

The businesswoman texted back on this same day with an update, saying the dog experienced a “huge improvement.”

The Lord gave breakthrough to this family! And we are standing on God’s promises to complete the work He began!

By His Spirit, faithful Jesus still reaches out and touches the afflicted with miracles. He is doing this for a dog. What more will He do for you? May He establish you and your loved ones in His promises of renewal and greater mobility for His glory, even if it has felt like a long time coming.

Just receive.

Update: Since this story was written, the dog’s owner shared with me on January 27, 2020 (9 1/2 weeks later) that her dog is 95% restored! All honor and glory to our Lord God, who still heals and who is faithful to His Word! We are grateful and are believing for God’s healing touch to complete the process!