Tag: #Colossians2:3

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Abundant Riches & Life – Part 1

I love Mary’s words in Luke 1:47 TPT where she says, “My spirit bursts with joy over my life-giving God!”

Mary literally walked through what Paul described in Colossians 1:26-27 TPT, which say:

There is a divine mystery—a secret surprise that has been concealed from the world for generations, but now it’s being revealed, unfolded and manifested for every holy believer to experience. Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!

So, friends, spiritually speaking, we too get to be pregnant with Jesus as Holy Spirit reveals Himself to our souls to build His Kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven inside of us and out.

What does God desire to birth through you in this hour?

The life we’ve always wanted is within us and right in front of us. 

Psalm 31:19 NIV says, “How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.”

The Lord revealed to me that, for God’s faithful followers, our wait is over. We don’t have to wrestle like Jacob anymore (Ps 47:4). Our days of tribulation are gone for now (Da 12:12). It’s time to settle God’s truth in our souls and step toward the outward blessings of our Lord to be established with them in the earth for Kingdom expansion (Matt 5:10-12). 

In other words, our season of tribulation is behind us and new challenges that come with new opportunities are before us. Nevertheless, it’s time to rejoice and move forward in God’s plan, so He can bless others through us. 

Jesus is out ahead waiting for us. And, He will be with us every step of the way. 

He will not disappoint.

If you haven’t been following The Lord to the point that He has prepared you deeply, you can still rejoice at this good news. 

Your strategy scripture is Romans 12:12 TPT, which says, “Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of trouble, but commune with God at all times.”

So, be encouraged and let God bring you all the way through the wait to a place of deep satisfaction in Him, where you will treasure Him even more. This will position you to receive more of His stored-up blessings (rewards) for your patient endurance so you can be fitted into new roles.

Remember this key: We become enriched as we entrust The Lord. 

Matthew 5:6 TPT confirms this by saying, “How enriched you are when you crave righteousness! For you will be surrounded with fruitfulness.”

The Amplified Classic (AMPC) version tells us that we “…shall be completely satisfied! [Isa. 55:1, 2]” (Matt 5:6).

As we trust God, we surrender to Him.

Psalm 72:6-7 TPT say, “Your favor will fall like rain upon our surrendered lives, like showers reviving the earth. In the days of his reign the righteous will spring forth with the abundance of peace and prosperity forevermore.”

God will reveal Himself and His ways and strategies even more to us when we ask (Je 33:3).

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

The Amplified Classic (AMPC) version of this verse says, “In Him all the treasures of [divine] wisdom (comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and [all the riches of spiritual] knowledge and enlightenment are stored up and lie hidden” (Co 2:3).

Friends, our Lord is revealing Himself abundantly in this hour to lead us into a true and prosperous life. He’s inviting us into a season of outward increase: expansion and multiplicity for His glory. 

Very recently, The Lord gave me this Word during communion one morning:

It’s time for a mega turnaround. And the sky’s the limit. I Am above and between every opportunity facing you. I Am the Door. What once looked and felt like a tornado will not come into place for you. Your life is about to look different: I have swept trouble away by my righteousness right hand (of authority). Pieces, even from your past, will come into a beautiful new fit in your present. Even many generational troubles will be no more for you. Many things that have long plagued your family will have no place in this new place. My righteousness and holiness will prevail in your life to strengthen you as you continue to step into higher with Me. Take hold of My hand. Walk with Me. I will show you the way. Stay with Me, and you will continue to see as I do. Faithfully follow my lead. And you will step right into this easy place of great blessings by My grace. I Am transforming your life, placing you above and not beneath. I will use windows of opportunity to help form this transformation and enable you to see clearly what I Am doing. There will be a confluence as you conform to Me. And as you remain in Me, I will take you to the top.

So, friends, just like Mary experienced joy in Luke 1:47, our spirits can burst with joy over our life-giving God. Christ’s desire is that we may have His joy fulfilled in us (Jn 17:13).

Are you ready to see the deep longings of your heart satisfied?

If so, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for defining my path with a plan that prospers me. Make me fit and usable for Your good service. Help me stay in my lane and not cause drag. Help me keep my gaze upon You as You have Your way with my life. I surrender completely to You, Lord. I choose to trust You and submit to Your plan for me. Enable me to receive Your revelation and wisdom to do Your good works. I believe your Word in Proverbs 16:3 AMPC, which says, “Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Lord, make me agreeable to Your will. I believe as I entrust You, You will enrich me and enable me to be a greater blessing to others for Your glory.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

So, join me next week for Part 2 of Abundant Riches & Life.

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

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Salvation: Riches & Treasures – Part 2

One morning, as I saw my husband off to work, I stood at the front doorway and watched a Corona delivery truck drive down the street. I noticed a crown symbol on the front of the truck. The Lord highlighted this to me. And so I inquired.

Holy Spirit reminded me that “Sin is not our portion. Salvation is.” 

Later, He led me to Psalm 149:4 NIV, which says, “For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”

Victory in this scripture means salvation. (See the NASB version.)

And in Hebrew, this victory-salvation, this liberty is called Yeshua, which is also the Hebrew Name of Jesus (Strong’s #3444). 

Therefore, when we call on the Name of Jesus, we are calling on the victory-salvation that He is and that He offers (Pr 18:10). 

He is always available to adorn us with new life—inside and out. 

He is our treasure and we are His.

Treasure implies riches that are stored up.

We know He has treasure in Heaven for us but He, as our greatest treasure, also lives inside of us believers (Co 1:27). As we seek and obey Him, He will release more of Himself into our souls (mind, will, emotions), working out His victory-salvation in us and through us.

God aligns our minds with His helmet of salvation (life), the crown of victory-salvation, because whatever is on our minds can be produced (Pr 23:7).

Our lot is to be cast according to His way and His portion. Our lot is Love and all that He is (Ps 16:5, Ac 17:28). He doesn’t leave it to chance. He makes our victory-salvation certain. 

So, may we not compromise our blessings as we look to Him as our source. 

Always.

Several days after the Corona (crown) delivery truck drove by, The Lord led me to an article about a Christmas season “star” to appear in the night sky on December 21, when God’s two largest planets, Jupiter and Saturn, are expected to align within 0.1 degree. This special “star,” as it debuts low in the sky on the shortest day of the year, is considered rare as it becomes the largest and nearest one in 800 years. It is expected to remain constantly bright, and not twinkle, given that it’s actually the conjunction (union) of two planets (not actual stars).

Metaphorically, this speaks of a cycle of new unity—the coming together to create something unusually spectacular for nations to see. Through God’s glory expressed in this cosmic event, I believe He is inspiring us and inviting us to come closer to Him and align with Him uncompromisingly, as to consistently shine brighter than we ever have in a short amount of time for His glory (Ps 19:1, 45:11, 97:6; Hab 3:3; Is 26:7 AMPC, Is 60:21 AMPC).

The Lord then highlighted two encouragements from His Word:

Proverbs 4:18 TPT, which says, “But the lovers of God walk on the highway of light, and their way shines brighter and brighter until they bring forth the perfect day.”

Isaiah 60:3 AMPC, which says, “And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

I believe these promises are for all believers, who will receive God’s truth and obey.

As I continued to study God’s Word, Holy Spirit revealed six steps to receiving His stored up treasures:

 It begins with asking:

Matthew 7:11 NLT –  “So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

“Psalm 2:8 NIV – “Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.”

Allow His light to shine in and through us as our Treasure:

Colossians 2:3 NLT – “In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Corinthians 4:7 NLT – “We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.”

Matthew 5:26 NIV –  “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The key to unlock this Treasure is the fear of The Lord:

Isaiah 33:6 NIV – “He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.”

Psalm 85:9 AMPC – “Surely His salvation is near to those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him, [and is ready to be appropriated] that [the manifest presence of God, His] glory may tabernacle and abide in our land.” 

Go His way obediently:

Isaiah 2:2-3 AMPC – “It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be [firmly] established as the highest of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it. And many people shall come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us His ways and that we may walk in His paths…’”

Matthew 6:33 NLT – “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Stay the course:

Proverbs 3:5 NLT – “Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”

Isaiah 26:3 AMPC –  “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.”

Let Holy Spirit produce good fruit through us:

Luke 6:45 NLT – “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Isaiah 60:3 ESV – “And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

Friends, I look forward to gazing up at the Christmas “star” on December 21st with you as a remembrance of who God is, what He has done for us and what He will do forward. 

God has an extension and an expanse waiting to be received.

He longs to fulfill His promises.

What dreams have you long held in your hearts that go beyond yourselves?

What has God assigned to you right now?

How do you see your dreams progressing?

May I pray for you?

Dear Lord,

Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus, and for aligning our minds with the new life You offer us through Him. As we look up into Your night sky on December 21st, may we be reminded of You as our Creator and of Your Son as Your greatest gift to us, who came down. May You encourage each person reading or listening to this devotion to be closer to their dreams by giving them a special promise revealed to them by You in a personal way. May You give them good gifts for the asking, including nations (Matt 7:11, Ps 2:8). Thank You, Lord, for enabling them to receive Your very best and to walk consistently upright with You. Thank You, Lord, for being our very best promise, life and inheritance. Our certain victory-salvation for all times (Mi 7:7).

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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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.