Tag: #Ephesians1:17

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Compromised Truth – Part 2

Compromised Truth leads to disrespect of self and others as we navigate through life our way. It’s an attack against God’s character of authenticity for us and, therefore, hinders blessings that come from stewarding God’s genuine nature in us.

We must put God first, cultivate an intimate relationship with Him and trust Him enough to make Him our supreme authority. We must hear God’s voice above all others, even above our communities with parents, spouses, bosses, friends, counselors, pastors, prophets, etc. If any people in our lives advise or expect us to do anything outside of God’s will, we can still choose God’s way. We can realize that even the well-meaning can operate in an opposing spirit to the life God has for us. Forgive them and move on.

We can choose to distance ourselves from opposing voices, if necessary, while coming closer to God. In cases where we cannot totally distance ourselves, such as in child-parent relationships or employee-boss relationships, we can still run to God in prayer, seek His protection and guidance, declare His truth over our lives and wait out greater freedom.

This is what twelve-year-old Jesus did in Luke 2:41-52 AMPC when He went and stayed in the temple of God for three days to pursue Father’s Presence, while His parents knew not where He was (vs 46). In the midst of His parents’ “custom” to visit Jerusalem, during the Passover season, young Jesus didn’t want to leave His spiritual feast. Jesus wasn’t afraid of the power of His True Father. He was drawn to Him. At the outset, Jesus chose this as His “necessary” high purpose and priority above returning home with His earthly parents (vs 42, 49). Verse 52 reveals the result of Jesus putting Father God first and pursuing His truth by saying, “And Jesus increased in wisdom (in broad and full understanding) and in stature and years, and in favor with God and man.” 

In this light, when we pursue God as truth above all else, He increases His wisdom in us as He grows us to be wise, like Him. And He increases our favor with Him and man (Lk 2:52). This righteous priority translates into us experiencing the increased victory of salvation, even in our families, that Jesus died to give us on earth as it is in Heaven. Luke 2:51 says that Jesus’ “mother kept and closely and persistently guarded all these things in her heart” as He explained His whereabouts and purpose to her.  

I have learned that, as I have gone out to do the work our Lord sent me to do with Him, He has blessed my family and myself in eternal ways that only He could. So, like young Jesus, when we make Father God our eternal life source above all else, including family, we will see the fullness of life He has for us and others; andunderstand it, both in practical ways and through His Spirit of Revelation.

Jesus is our best family member and our greatest champion. He looks out for us in truth and glory. He says in John 14:2 AMPC that “In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes). If it were not so, I would have told you; for I am going away to prepare a place for you.” 

Jesus desires that we live an authentic life abiding in Him. We do this by firmly deciding He, as part of the Holy Trinity, is Lord of our lives and determine to walk it out, not letting anyone or anything pull us away, including any other relationships.

As the world around us strives to get ahead, we must look to God and align with His truth, which is that He will give us the things He put in our hearts when we come to appreciate Him first, above all else (Matt 6:33). 

So, pray with me if you will:

Dear Lord, 

Your truth is better than anything. Thank You that it sets me free from decline, as I incline my heart toward You. I humbly turn to You and ask You to deliver me from unholy compromise. Rid me of fear, of masking Your truth and authenticity in me and of the unholy mixture of man’s ways. Help me rightly divide the truth and priority of Your prevailing Word. Help me walk in it and live out the fullness of life You have for me in the earth, as I learn to rest in You, while working alongside You. Help me to walk out Exodus 33:13 AMPC, which says, “…if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight…” Lord, help me to live in a way that glorifies you abundantly and enables me to experience Your wisdom and beauty in my life-journey with You (Ep 1:17). Thank You that I don’t have to be afraid but that I can trust You to help me live out Your life-plan for me, knowing that You judge fairly (De 3:16, 1 Pe 2:23).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name,

Amen.

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

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Revelation Light

“God is pure light” (1 Jn 1:5).

The Spirit of Revelation, which is The Holy Spirit (Ep 1:17).

This Spirit of Revelation lives in us and is “the illuminator of men” (Vine’s). 

The revealing of Himself and His will to us as “The Light of Truth,” which sets us free (Jn 1:9). 

John 1:4 TPT tells us that “His light is life for all humanity.” 

Luke 2:32 TPT tells us He is “the Revelation Light for all people everywhere!”

Psalm 119:130 CSB tells us that “The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced.”

Revelation is “the illuminating power of the Scriptures; and of the judgments and commandments of God” to guide us (Vine’s; Ps 119:105, Is 51:4).

God’s heart and mind, even His face is revealed to us when He releases revelation to us as His “children of light.” (1 Jn 1:2, Lk 16:8). 

So, revelation comes through divine intervention, an encounter with God (Lk 4:4 TPT).

Revelation “designates God’s own self-disclosure or manifesting of himself, or things concerning himself and the world; the word itself, oral or written…by inner, immediate illumination of…hearts and minds by God…God is always the initiator and author of revelation” (Tyndale Bible Dictionary).

In Galatians 1:12 TPT Paul says, “No one taught me this revelation, for it was given to me directly by the unveiling of Jesus the Anointed One.”

Revelation is the great communication mode by which “something is presented to the mind directly” (Vine’s). It by-passes human reason, thinking and ability to position us as a receiver and a doer, according to God’s will for victorious living.

Revelation guides us into God’s best as “the will of God for the conduct of His children” (Vine’s).

God’s treasure of revelation enables us to have a closer walk with Jesus, applying wisdom to where we’ve been and where He’s bringing us. He gifts us with new knowledge and insight—removing past burdens with divine understanding, as well as the burden to try to figure the present out on our own—while strengthening us for the journey ahead. In this way, God frees us so we can continue on, guided by His heart of love as revealed truth.

Revelation light is also God’s strategic weapon against forces of darkness. The Spirit of Revelation uncovers darkness, brings truth to light and knowledge to wisdom as He wills.

Luke 12:2 AMPC tells us that “Nothing is [so closely] covered up that it will not be revealed, or hidden that it will not be known.”

We need only to see as God sees. 

In this supernatural way of seeing and understanding, revelation can be a secret weapon to help keep us on top of the enemy and advance us (Da 2:22, Ps 139:12). 

Especially as He makes us trusted gatekeepers (Ps 24:7), drenched in His mercy and doing relationship like 1 John 1:7 TPT, which offers us a strategy that says, “…if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him, we share unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin.”

Revelation brings peace, even in the midst of chaos, because His Presence is powerful light that extinguishes darkness. Even in our minds, God can settle our wonderings about issues that try to loom through releasing revelation-understanding to us. In this way, He helps us walk in His clarity and powerful peace (Ps 55:22, 1 Pe 5:7). 

Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14-15 TPT that he ran “straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. So, let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them.”

Paul knew that revelation, as a spark of light, ignites us for victory and sets us in motion, aligned with God’s will and faithfully headed forward with Him and toward Him simultaneously.

God’s gracious gift of revelation also encourages us with clues along His timeline for us.

At will, God can reveal glimpses of our future to us: moments of experience and divine assignments in advance to set our minds on a right course and ready us (Ep 3:20).

At “the cross, Jesus supremely revealed God’s self-giving love” (Hayford Bible Handbook).

“God’s disclosure of Himself to mankind, including His nature, His moral standards, and His plan of salvation” is divine revelation (Hayford Bible Handbook).

Jesus as the mystery hidden and the secret kept can be received and experienced (Ro 16:25). He desires to share Himself and His mysteries with you for your own welfare and that of your family, your work and your nation. 

Do you know Him like this?

In Proverbs 1:23 TPT God asks us, “Don’t you know that I’m ready to pour out my spirit of wisdom upon you and bring to you the revelation of my words that will make your heart wise?”

1 John 1:9 TPT says that “…if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time…”

So, are you ready to come into more of His light and receive divine insight? 

If so, pray this prayer with me:

Lord Jesus,

I praise Your Holy Name. I desire to receive Your revelations. I repent of my sins and invite You into my heart as Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and release Your revelations to me. Bring me into Your marvelous light and drench me in your mercy (1 Pe 2:9-10). Enable me to receive revelations of Your secrets for Your glory.

Amen. 

And now, “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” (Ep 1:17 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

To God be the glory.

Amen.

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.