Today, I give You all glory, honour and praise. I give thanks that as You were yesterday, You are today and will forever be, the Great I AM…….and because You are…I am
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
Abba Father, I come before You with thanksgiving. I thank You for this day and life itself. I thank You that when and where I am weak You are strong and I can depend on You. Help me to have You as my first port of call rather than the last. On this special day I ask You to forgive me of all sin and purify me.
Today, as I think and find out more about the Passover and Holy Week, which runs from today until the end of next week, may I do so with fear and trembling. You have not given me a spirit of fear but one of power, love and a sound mind. Recognising Your might, omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence; I fear You, but not the things of this world. Today, I realise the power of the Blood and the symbolism within the Holy Bible from the Old Testament to the New. When the Passover took place in the Old Testament it was recognition for what was to come. Holy Week begins with the recognition of Your Son Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, entering Jerusalem greeted by people as the Son of David; cheering, laying cloaks and palm leaves before Him. Only, I know what was to happen a few days later. Strengthen my heart so I will remain focused, strong and never be deterred from serving You as our Master and King. Yeshua HaMashiach is my Saviour, Rescuer and Deliverer and deserves all the glory, honour and praise! HalleluYah!
The Lord is my Strength and my Song, and He has become my Salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Exodus 15:2 (AMPC)
17 For many were in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves [become clean and free from all sin]. So the Levites had to kill the Passover lambs for all who were not clean, in order to make them holy to the Lord.
Kill the Passover lambs and sanctify yourselves and prepare for your brethren to do according to the word of the Lord by Moses.
19 Who sets his heart to seek and yearn for God—the Lord, the God of his fathers—even though not complying with the purification regulations of the sanctuary.
2 Chronicles 35:6 (AMPC)
Purge (clean out) the old leaven that you may be fresh (new) dough, still uncontaminated [as you are], for Christ, our Passover [Lamb], has been sacrificed.
1 Corinthians 5:7 (AMPC)
So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].
Philippians 2:12 (AMP)
By faith (simple trust and confidence in God) he instituted and carried out the Passover and the sprinkling of the blood [on the doorposts], so that the destroyer of the firstborn (the angel) might not touch those [of the children of Israel].
Hebrews 11:28 (AMPC)
To You who is able to keep me from falling and to present me before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to You who is the only God, my Saviour, be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Yeshua The Anointed One, my Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore!
My Mighty God, Maker of heaven and earth, I come before You today giving thanks. I give You thanks for being my Redeemer. You are The One who gives me hope and strength. It is because of You that I made it through the night and have now woken to see a brand new day, allowing me to glorify Your Name. I place this day before You, as it is Yours to use as You wish, through me.
Today, I focus on You and press in on all Your goodness. I look to You, so I will remain lifted up, as I lift You. The enemy rushes in like a flood but, You Lord, lift up a standard against him. May I not turn to the left nor the right, but remain focused on High. I prayer that mentally, physically and spiritually I will lean into You and not situations surrounding me. I choose to dwell in Your secret place and abide in Your shadow. I give thanks that I am of those who You foreknew and predestined, so I have a future and expected end, as I am conformed to the image of Your Son. Everything I have been through and where I am now, is no surprise. I do have the victory. The fact I am reading this prayer and receiving it in my spirit, tells me that I am of the chosen, and was given to Your Son Jesus Christ. I thank You for His pre-existence, His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection and His coexistence with me, in the form of the Holy Spirit! I thank You that You have said because I love You, You will deliver me, honour me and set me on high. I will see the destruction of those that are not of You, but it will not come near me. I belong to You. Therefore, I trust in You.
In the Lord I take refuge [and put my trust]; how can you say to me, Flee like a bird to your mountain?
2 For see, the wicked are bending the bow; they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they [furtively] in darkness may shoot at the upright in heart.
3 If the foundations are destroyed, what can the [unyieldingly] righteous do, or what has He [the Righteous One] wrought or accomplished?
Psalm 11:1 (AMPC)
The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.
Psalm 18:2 (AMPC)
As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30 (AMPC)
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness.
Psalm 32:10 (AMPC)
But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (AMPC)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
Abba Father, I enter Your presence giving You only glory, honour and praise. I thank You that I have another day before me and I ask that You are constantly the gatekeeper to my mind, spirit and soul. Forgive me of all sins, so that I can come before You clean and unhindered.
Today, as David inquired in Your temple, to know You more, I wish to know You more. As David was considered to be a man after Your own heart I desire to be the same. I will inquire of the Holy Spirit and Your Word, the Holy Bible, right where I am, because my body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit. As I read, I pray You will speak to my spirit and I will be open to receive what You want me to. I need to know of Your compassion; Your goodness; Your saving grace; Your greatness; Your Might; the hope available to me because of Your salvation; Your patience; Your unconditional love; the way, when there doesn’t seem to be one; and so much more. Help me as I put my full faith in You and not in anything or person in this world. There are many giants and battles I face in life, but I know I will be able to face them head on with You by my side. You are my buckler and shield; clothe me with Your holy armour, from head to toe: mentally, physically and spiritually. Close all gateways open to attacks of the enemy. I pray for Your guidance, so that I make myself available to You and live a life pleasing to You; let not my will, but Your will be done.
12 For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood[by God].
13 And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:12-13 (AMPC)
8 But we belong to the day; therefore, let us be sober and put on the breastplate (corslet) of faith and love and for a helmet the hope of salvation.
9 For God has not appointed us to [incur His] wrath [He did not select us to condemn us], but [that we might] obtain [His] salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)
10 Who died for us so that whether we are still alive or are dead [at Christ’s appearing], we might live together with Him and share His life.
1 Thessalonians 5:8 (AMPC)
12 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.
13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenceless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.
Hebrews 4:13 (AMPC)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
Abba Father, I give You glory, honour, praise and thanks. Thank You for opening my eyes, mind, soul and spirit; and thank You for blessing me with another day. I ask You for forgiveness of all my sins, whether they be of thoughts, words or deeds. All too often we remember moments where we have requested forgiveness of sins, when we have already been forgiven. We hold them against ourselves and then it is a vicious circle. Your Word tells me, he who is free, is free indeed. My sins are as far from me as the east is from the west. HalleluYah!
Today, I ask for Your restoration. Cover me from the hairs on my head to the soles of my feet, inside and out, so I am guided, protected, reestablished, renewed and revived, by Your restorative power. As I lift my hands to worship You this morning, I realise, You can take anyone and anything that is broken and damaged, and change it; making it beautiful. Reset me to a level of fullness of joy that exceeds where I was. May I continue to be reset and restored as often as is necessary. I pray that if I do not have enough room to contain You; fill me up to an overflow. How Wonderful are You, my God! Restore and allow me to use You as my place of rest. I trust in You.
He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him—not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3 (AMPC)
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:12 (AMPC)
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
Psalm 103:12 – A Psalm of David (AMPC)
Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored].
Joel 2:12 (AMPC)
And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten—the hopping locust, the stripping locust, and the crawling locust, My great army which I sent among you.
Joel 2:25 (AMPC)
Return to the stronghold [of security and prosperity], you prisoners of hope; even today do I declare that I will restore double your former prosperity to you.
Zechariah 9:12 (AMPC)
So if the Son makes you free, then you are unquestionably free.
John 8:36 (AMP)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
Abba Father, Today, as I look into the mirror, I realise just how imperfect I am. However, I thank You that I am being made perfect by the shed Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. My walk with You is a process where I shed the old self and step into the new. I pray You continually fill me up to an overflow of patience and strength. I thank You that those You foreknew, You also predestinated, which gives me hope. For there is now no condemnation for all those who are in Christ Jesus, so I am not condemned, I am free. Help me as I strive to be, think and do all that is imprinted on my heart, so that not mine, but Your will be done.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11(AMPC)
24 You perceive how God sees you in the mirror of the Word, but then you go out and forget your divine origin.
25 But those who set their gaze deeply into the perfecting law of liberty are fascinated by and respond to the truth they hear and are strengthened by it—they experience God’s blessing in all that they do!
James 1:24-25 (TPT)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
A Psalm of thanksgiving and for the thank offering.
1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come before His presence with singing!
3 Know (perceive, recognize, and understand with approval) that the Lord is God! It is He Who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]! We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and a thank offering and into His courts with praise! Be thankful and say so to Him, bless and affectionately praise His name!
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.
Abba Father, I come before You giving all glory, honour and praise because of Who You are.
Today, I lift my hands, remain and worship in Your presence, remembering that it’s nothing I have done, or could ever do, but it’s all about Your Son Jesus Christ. He is the Rose of Sharon; beautiful beyond comprehension, in character, both inside and out. He is the Prince of peace; no one can or could do what He did or does; He was wounded for my wrongs, died, rose again and conquered sin, the world and the enemy. He has set my crooked road straight, as long as I remain under His covering, He is a Wonderful Counsellor, to Whom I can bring all my cares; physically, mentally or spiritually or via His people appointed on this earth. He is my Everlasting Father; to Whom I can bring my life because He knows it all before it has even happened; He stands outside of time observing me and if I am just still…..I…Will…Hear…His…Voice. He is the King over every other king, Name above every other name. He is the true representation of You and Your love for me and for that I lift my hands and worship in Your presence.
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand].
Psalm 91:1 (AMPC)
For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (AMPC)
And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever.
Isaiah 32:17 (AMPC)
10 For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
Isaiah 55:10 (AMPC)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
John 16:33 (AMPC)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
You shall also decide and decree a thing, and it shall be established for you; and the light [of God’s favor] shall shine upon your ways. Job 22:28 (AMPC)
My Father and my God, as I face this new week ahead, I pray that You will go before me and make every crooked way straight and order every step I take. I thank You for all You have done, all You are doing and all You intend to do. I thank You for the plans You have for me, which are for me to prosper and come to an expected end. I place myself before Your feet and ask You to forgive me of all sins of thought, word and deed.
I decree and declare that this week will be one of refreshment. A new season is before me. I will step into the plans You have for me. What You have for me, will not pass me by. I will not be held back by any thing from my past but will stand, think, move, live, exist and be, covered by the Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. I will fully function by the power of Your Holy Spirit. This week I pray for divine order to be revealed, to others and myself, in every area mentally, physically and spiritually. This week I will truly know Him and the full power of His resurrection.
For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.
Jeremiah 29:11 (AMPC)
33 But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel: After those days, says the Lord, I will put My law within them, and on their hearts will I write it; and I will be their God, and they will be My people.
34 And they will no more teach each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, for they will all know Me [recognize, understand, and be acquainted with Me], from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will [seriously] remember their sin no more.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 (AMPC)
But you shall receive power (ability, efficiency, and might) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends (the very bounds) of the earth.
Acts 1:8 (AMPC)
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMPC)
May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
Ephesians 3:16 (AMPC)
For God has done what the Law could not do, [its power] being weakened by the flesh [the entire nature of man without the Holy Spirit]. Sending His own Son in the guise of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, [God] condemned sin in the flesh [subdued, overcame, deprived it of its power over all who accept that sacrifice],
Romans 8:13 (AMPC)
For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever.
Romans 8:13 (AMPC)
20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament),
21 Strengthen (complete, perfect)and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages).
Psalm 1:3 (AMPC) And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].
When I first began my blog (way back in 2019!), in one of my first pieces, I mentioned a few quotes, which are applicable for now: Growth is the only evidence of life by John Henry Oswald and Growth itself contains the germ happiness by Lord Alfred Tennyson. The main quote was Great oaks from little acorns grow by Geoffrey Chaucer. Of course there are many around pertaining to growth, but as I was writing, I remembered these. Seeing the above picture and remembering these quotes, it made me think how important it is to remain rooted and grounded in Christ Jesus. This is with regards to us being individuals in our own rights, our professions and our spiritual selves. The more rooted we become the harder it is for us to be deterred, knocked over, moved, or swayed from what our end goals are, or for what we have been called to do. As human beings, with no interaction with others, we will not know how to have conversations or be able to relate to others. The individual will; have no people skills; be unable to look into the eyes of others as they speak; and are not sincerely able to relate to others problems. I have seen examples of this with regards to people (who are or believe they are) higher up the social ladder. People become stats rather than ones of flesh and blood. There’s no attempt at true connection or understanding, at a deeper level.
Becoming a child of the Most High God, if you don’t give yourselves enough nutrients, you’ll grow very slowly. You won’t be able to spiritually thrive, as much as you’d be able to if you were reading enough of God’s Word. Whilst reading, you’re finding out as much about Him as possible. What must be understood is the only person that requires evidence of your thoughts is the Most High God. Remember He is an all-seeing God, so He knows the intents of your heart. No matter what you do and why, He knows. That is why I have an issue with people being scared into giving their lives to The Lord, their reason has to be truth, rather than being scared. If anyone has got this far in reading this, please comment on my way of thinking. As it says in the Word, ironsharpensiron, so one personsharpensanother (Proverbs 27:17). Correct my way of thinking, if need be. That being said, it also says I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God gave the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). I may have mentally clarified things whilst writing (lol), as once the hellfire has been vocally shared, maybe the increase can be obtained! Your concept of God and His Word is a starter. The Holy Bible is a compilation of Books and Words inspired by the Most High God to the Churches; a set of people who, for all intents and purposes, are people who love the Most High God but are experiencing difficulties in their walk. Very much like us. We love the Most High God but, at times we have problems with living a life that totally reflects Him and the way we should be. This happened throughout the Holy Bible, however, the Old Testament had Jesus Christ concealed BUT within the New Testament He was revealed! Without Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection we wouldn’t have had the Holy Spirit. Our spirit should now connect with the Holy Spirit, so we can receive guidance and strength. Paul says:-
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me.
18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law;
23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Romans 7:14-25 (NIV)
The lockdown will have been a time of strengthening for some and a time of weakening for others. Just as in a garden you have various shrubs, trees and flowers, it’s the same for people in this world. We all have different needs and requirements; what may be needed for one person, may not be needed for another. Don’t allow yourself to wither away; unable to grow; unable to converse and have interactions with others or be afraid to seek help. This goes for whether you are a believer in God or not! As the roots try to move into areas where they will get what they need to become established, grasp for all you need by reading books, the internet and conversations, which may be online via email, Facebook, FaceTime, Instagram, Messenger, SMS, WhatsApp or even face-to-face interaction (lockdown lifting permitting!). Apparently, the lockdown will be over shortly, but it’s not too late. The world we’re facing, as of now, is very different to what we have ever experienced before. Don’t be afraid, you’re not alone!
When a plant or tree is initially planted, the roots can be weak and easily destroyed. The life troubles for humans, and a tree, can sweep in like a flood and the soil (life) can be waterlogged. The strength of the tree or individual, can be small in size, can cause death and the tree or individual will not be able to function at its full capacity. Its leaves will begin to wilt and it will be possible to see or feel that something is wrong. Spiritually, we can wilt and wain, if we stay away from the Word and we are not functioning under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We need to keep the connection open and flowing, so we do not wither because we are not being nourished. Those not under the guidance of the Holy Spirit may feel as though they are in total isolation; insufficient air, light and water, which are some of the nutrients required for growth. For a tree, or child of the Most High God, growth may occur, but at a slow pace; depending on how deeply (or not) they are embedded into the soil. If it’s not too deep, damage will take place. The environment can make it almost impossible for them to grow and increase. As a child of God, our watering and feeding is the Word and fellowship with like-minded individuals. If there is not enough, death or stagnancy will occur. However, we all have our season where we will flourish; begin to thrive; there will be an increase; there will be anointing; and that will cause an abundance and fruit. The question is how quickly do you want to grow, thrive and function at your full potential or is it our choice to make? I ask this because in the Book of Jonah, we see that he tried to escape but had a job to do and was brought right back to do it. Therefore, let nothing hold you back!
Hosea 4:6 (AMPC) My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you that you shall be no priest to Me; seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
As a Christian, a healthy growth occurs by feeding with the Word of God. The Bible verse says, with a lack of knowledge, people perish (Hosea 4:6). If things of God are not being sought, no growth will take place. We should seek Godly knowledge. As John Henry Oswald said, growth is the evidence of life. It should be possible to see evidence/ assurance/substance of what has been done in your life. Backed up by scripture:-
Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
Hebrews 11:1 (AMPC)
You will be known by your fruit:-
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Matthew 7:16 (NIV)
With regards to growth containing the germ happiness, as per the previously mentioned quote by Lord Alfred Tennyson, in the right environment it is able to multiply; as a germ would. This can be achieved by communing with God; by praying, worshipping, reading His Word, listening to Pastors or Evangelists preach the Word, going to the right Church to be fed, fellowshipping with other Ambassadors of Christ/followers of Christ/children of the Most High God. Whilst doing these things you will know you’re not on your own. Having appropriate friends around you is so much help, as it assists with lifting you up when you are down. As well as reading the Holy Bible, you can also read other books about God, so you can gain a greater understanding. Please ensure it’s recommended by a reliable source! These things will help you no matter the stage of your walk. As you’ll need to receive these things, others will need it too, which is why it’s important to have a network of like-minded people to converse with. Once we become established in life we will bear fruit. As it is in the physical world, it’s the same within the spiritual. In the workplace, there is usually room to grow or for promotion; it’s even possible for you to retrain others or move to another department. Within the spiritual realm, there is room for things to be revealed to you and the possibilities are endless. How so? You may ask. If you only believe. It’s as simple as just believing. Once the Word is more ingrained in you, that belief will become knowledge: We know what we know!
Salvation has nothing to do with what we can do but, what God has already done for us. Instead we should be thankful, joyful and praise and worship Him, because it has been made easier. When Elohim hayyim looks down He sees not us and our sins but He sees the Blood of His Son who was wounded for all our wrongs. When Jesus Christ said ‘It is finished’, He had partially done what He was sent to do. There is nothing more needed (apart from His resurrection).
The source of our happiness and joy is through Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus Christ, Son of David; the soon coming King!. Many recognise their love for God, declare their wish to change by reciting the prayer of salvation and then go on to life as normalrather than having a new normal. Once you have given your life to God, there is a newness in life, awaiting you. You should want that and be ready to take hold of it, with both hands. Scripture says:-
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMPC)
Geoffrey Chaucer said, Great oaks from little acorns grow but the Most High God expounds on the properties of the ‘great oak’. You can be strong, magnificent, distinguished for uprightness and most of all have right standing with Him!
To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
Unapologetically Marcia 