The Eighth Day

 The wages of sin is death, but Jesus defeated death. What does this signify? This indicates that through our faith in Him, death has no hold on us. The weapon will form but it will not prosper.

We are born sinners, and not one sin is lesser or greater than the next. Over the course of my life, even up until recently, I've been deceived into believing that if I continue sinning, I go to hell. As I transitioned from a life of the law to a life of the covenant, there was still a, how do I say this-a delayed awareness. I was trying to become clean by my own strength, and I found that to be impossible. The law kept me blind and in a loop of sin, shame, and sacrifice. The covenant of Christ broke those chains.

When the Lord breathes His Spirit upon someone, it changes their heart-it transforms them into creatures that want to abide in Him. And when he brings someone into a wilderness season, it is not punishment. The one he corrects, he loves.

The Lord wants His children to know that our peace is His care. There will be trouble in this life, but we have peace in Jesus. Even through the storm. The kind of peace that makes no sense logically, but plenty of sense to those He has given understanding. I check my analytical mind on a daily, and even though I experience unease, I also experience peace in it through Jesus. He is the author of peace, not confusion, and when I'm experiencing confusion, I know that's my cue to lean into Him. I encourage you to let your guard down in those moments and lean into Jesus-to call upon Him. He will answer. Jesus loves you. I love you. Shalom Shalom

Your Faith Matters

 It is impossible to please God without faith.  Why?  Faith is required for transformation.  If I wanted to go to college let's say, I would first have to believe in myself and that it's possible.  If I didn't have faith that this was possible, I would most likely decide not to go to college.  It's the same way with God.  If we don't believe His promises, we won't come to him or invest ourselves in His good work.  And His good works lead to salvation.  Let's continue to walk by faith and not by sight.  Let us continue to trust in Him and see His faithfulness.  Let us go up to the mountain of the Lord.  Jesus loves you.  I love you.  Shalom Shalom

Cleaning, Holding, and Trimming

 The Lord brought my mind to the night sky today.  Stars in particular.  He said, "The stars in the sky are no more the sky than thoughts are the mind."  It still blows my mind today-every time God speaks.  You'd think I'd have gotten used to it by now.  But no, he wows me everyday.  He then brought to mind about holding every thought captive.

 God speaks about bringing our thoughts into obedience in Christ in 2 Corinthians 10:5.  He talks about how we must cast down our imagination, and rise up in truth and exalt the Lord-not ourselves or the machinations of our mind.  This isn't a reprimand, it's caution-a warning.  And this isn't a warning stemming from condemnation, it's love-God's mercy.

 See, there are levels when it comes to having a relationship with God.  To the unbeliever, the teachings of the bible are considered religious and hypocritical.  Why?  Because they see people claiming to be followers of Christ when those same people weaponize scripture against their own brothers and sisters, rather than weaponizing the Word of God against the attack on our spirit from the enemy.  

 The truth is everyone already knows Jesus.  We already know God.  Even the unbelievers.  And we should show mercy to unbelievers, not hate.  What good does that do-to express contempt?  That only justifies their behavior-in their eyes at least.  God is love.  If you know love, you know God.  And just because we know God, doesn't mean we love him.  We show our love through obedience, and that obedience, just like His instruction, gives way to life.  It's a process.  Don't give up on yourself or God.  The best is yet to come.  Jesus loves you.  I love you.  Shalom Shalom